Phillips delighted to duel Saladino for long jump glory

EUGENE, Oregon: Dwight Phillips signalled his intention to regain the top rung of the world long jump ladder on Sunday, winning at the Prefontaine Classic grand prix meeting with a leap of 8.74m.

The 31-year-old American, who won world titles in 2003 and 2005 and Olympic gold in 2004, became the joint fifth-best performer ever in the event.

Since Mike Powell set the world record of 8.95m in 1991, only Erick Waldner had jumped so far, posting an 8.74 at altitude in El Paso, Texas, in 1994.