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UPDATED: Pinnock thrilled after historic long jump bronze at World U20 Champs

Published:Wednesday | July 11, 2018 | 12:00 AMRaymond Graham
Wayne Pinnock poses with the flag after winning Jamaica's first medal at the IAAF World Under 20 Championship in Tampere, Finland on Wednesday. Pinnock finished third in the long jump with a leap of 7.90m. This was Jamaica's first medal in this event at the World Under 20 level. Photos/Collin Reid courtesy: Alliance Mastercard, Courts, Supreme Ventures, GraceKennedy and JN

Wayne Pinnock gave the country it's first medal of the IAAF World Under 20 Championship in Tampere, Finland on Wednesday, after securing a third place finish in the Men's long jump final with 7.90 metres.

"It's a great feeling to know that I trained so hard and I was rewarded with a medal," Pinnock told The Gleaner.

Pinnock, who has been having a dream season in the event, got the mark and the early lead on his first attempt, but could not improve on his next five efforts. His team-mate Shakwon Coke produced a personal best of 7.73m for a seventh placed finish. Yuki Hashioka 8.03m captured the gold medal as Cuba's Maikel Vidal took silver with 7.99m.

It was Jamaica's first long jump medal at the World Under 20 level.

Michael Stephens, who ran a personal best 10.22 seconds in the semi-final, returned to post 10.31 for seventh place in the men's 100m final. The event was won by Indonesia's Lalu Zohri in 10.18 seconds. Michael Bentley, did not start his semi-final. 

Orlando Bennett and Damion Thomas advanced to the Men's 110m hurdles final with the second and third fastest times heading into the medal round.

Bennett who earlier won his heat in 13.47 seconds, returned to win his semi in 13.45 seconds. Thomas was second in his race in 13.37 seconds

Earlier, it was an excellent first session for Jamaica with the impressive Briana Williams leading all eight Jamaicans progressing to the next round of their events following preliminary round action.

The overseas-based Williams threw down the gauntlet to her rivals in the Women's 100m after an impressive 11.28 seconds, to win her heat easily and advance as the fastest qualifier for tomorrow's semi-finals.Teammate Okera Myrie joined her in the next round after finishing third in her heat in 11.70 seconds.

It was smooth sailing for male team captain and number one seed Christopher Taylor in the Men's 400m as the Calabar High athlete won his heat in 46.14 seconds to qualify with the second fastest time in the event. Overseas based Chantz Sawyers won his heat in 46.52 seconds to be fourth overall. Jonathon Jones of Barbados was the quickest of the round after winning his heat in a personal best 46.05 seconds.

Intermediate female hurdlers Shian Salmon and Sanique Walker were the other Jamaicans moving forward in their event.

Salmon out of Hydel High and female team captain, won her heat in the Women's 400m hurdles in 58.14 seconds to be the third fastest qualifier. Walker out of Vere Technical clocked 58.45 seconds for a second place finish and eight overall.

*Note: An earlier version of this story said, in the headline, that Pinnock won the silver medal. He however won the bronze medal.