Boy from Brazil is flying high

May 24 2007 By Bill Mcguirk, The Evening Chronicle

Brazilian triple jumper Jadel Gregorio swapped Tyneside for South America and produced a startling performance in front of 20,000 adoring fans.

Competing in the Grande Premio Brasil in Belem, the 26-year-old 6ft 8in giant soared out to a monstrous 17.90m - the best in the world this year and a new South American record.

The leap put Gregorio among the best in the history of triple jumping since only six men have jumped beyond 17.90m.

That list is, of course, topped by our own Jonathan Edwards. And here the similarity lies, as Peter Stanley, who guided Edwards to his 1995 world record, now has the talented Brazilian under his wing here on Tyneside.

Gregorio came to the North East in November 2005 to be close to Stanley, settling with wife Samara, who missed the trip to Brazil as she is expecting their second child.

And a delighted Stanley said: "That's a pretty impressive performance. In fact it's the biggest jump since the Jonathan era.

"I'm absolutely delighted for him. We have worked extremely hard during the cold winter months at Gateshead, though the new indoor facility has been a huge boost for everyone.

"While I have been working closely with Jadel's technique, we have been working in partnership with the English Institute of Sport, who have been extremely supportive concentrating on strength and conditioning. He's now a much faster and balanced athlete on the runway, and I'm pleased that all the hard work building up to his trip to Brazil paid off.

"They love athletics in Brazil and triple jumpers in particular, as Jadel's fellow countryman, Joao Carlos de Oliveira, whose Brazilian record Jadel broke, held the world record for 10 years before losing it to America's Willie Banks.

"I can imagine he had the whole stadium behind him when he was on the runway.

"I know that his performance has proved so popular that he had to cancel his flight back to the UK on Monday as he was wanted on so many TV and radio channels."

Before arriving in the northern coastal city of Belem, Gregorio (pictured right) tested out his form in Doha on May 11 and, although he won the competition, the windy conditions meant his best effort was only 17.04m.

Gregorio moved from Qatar to Brazil and, four days prior to the Belem meet, won in Fortaleza with a distance of 17.05m.

His previous best distance of 17.73m was set in the same Belem stadium, and the crowd reacted every time he stepped on to the runway.

His opening round of 17.66m set out his stall and his formidable fifth-round effort had the spectators out of their seats.

Gregorio has clearly set the standard for his rivals with the World Championships in Japan just over three months away.

And providing he stays injury-free and the weather on Tyneside is favourable, then he has to be on target for his first medal in a major outdoor championship.

Before then, though, he will return to South America for the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro in July, which will be the ideal competition before chasing that medal in Osaka.