Video: Tara Davis-Woodhall sublime in her last jump to snatch victory from Burks in Bermuda
The women's long jump lived up to expectations as one of the most anticipated events at the Bermuda Grand Prix, having the world's leading jumpers, Tara Davis-Woodhall and Quanesha Burks, go against each other.
Before the Games, Davis-Woodhall had the second-best distance in the world at 7.07m, while Burks had the third-best with 6.95m.
With both already with a healthy jab of words at each other on social media on who was a better jumper, Bermuda proved to be the place on who will own the bragging rights in their first clash together this year.
Davis-Woodhall led with her second-round jump of 7.03m (3.7), and Burks followed with 6.85m (3.1). In the third round, Burks snatched the lead with 7.04m (2.9), and Davis-Woodhall responded with the initial mark of 7.03m (2.3).
Quansha Burks and Tara Davis are going jump for jump right now in Bermuda. The wind is winding but there are living up to the hype #BermudaGrandPrix pic.twitter.com/BdZVK0gpGd
— NaturalCal (@NaturalCal) May 21, 2023
The fourth and fifth rounds saw Burks with windy 6.99m and 6.69m, while Davis-Woodhall leaped windy 6.87m and a legal 6.83m.
However, in the sixth and final round, things switched as the latter leaped a sublime 7.11m (2.1), and Burks had no jump, thereby snatching the much-needed win, making her lead the battle in their newly found rivalry.
What a final round!! Tara Davis-Woodhall connects on a clutch 6th round jump of 7.11m (2.1) to snatch the win from Quanesha Burks. Ruth Usoro finishes with a nice PB of 6.82m (1.2) in Round 6 as well https://t.co/MnI1iiEOxp pic.twitter.com/6EqvCkxDAK
— NaturalCal (@NaturalCal) May 21, 2023
Interestingly, Nigeria's Ruth Usoro benefitted from their stiff competition as she was motivated to cause a rare upset, soaring to a massive Personal Best (PB) of 6.82m (1.2) to finish third. Her mark propelled her to No.5 on the world list, above compatriot Ese Brume with 6.77m.
With her very last attempt of the day, Tara Davis-Woodhall 🇺🇲 bounded out to a massive 7.11m (2.1) to win the women's Long Jump at the Bermuda Grand Prix!
— Oluwadare (@Track_Gazette) May 21, 2023
Quanesha Burks 🇺🇲 was 2nd with 7.04m (2.9). pic.twitter.com/83ANSU7GyR
The women's long jump is turning out to be one of the most competitive events this season, which is good for the sport ahead of the World Championships in Budapest.