New Delhi [India], November 23 (ANI): Cuban legend Javier Sotomayor, the one man ever to clear the 8-feet barrier in excessive leap, graced the Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium right now, looking on the MONDO monitor and different amenities together with the newly-built SAI Fitness Centre. Sotomayor’s leap of two.45m, set in 1993 in Spain, has stood unchallenged for over 32 years, as per a launch from Sports Authority of India (SAI)
The Cuban, who was the 1992 Olympics gold medalist, was joined by Palestinian middle-distance runner Mohammed Dwedar, who not too long ago competed on the Tokyo World Championships. The duo interacted with SAI athletes and coaches, together with Indian para excessive jumper Sharad Kumar, Indian javelin star Sachin Yadav, in addition to Russian javelin coach Sergey Makarov, who at present trains the Indian javelin throwers.
Sotomayor, visiting India for the second time, praised the JLN facility.
‘I really feel superb to be in India once more and I like India lots. The JLN Stadium MONDO monitor is nice. It is of superb high quality for attaining good outcomes,’ he mentioned, as quoted from a launch by SAI.
The 58-year-old additionally lauded India’s rise in monitor and subject, particularly in javelin. ‘Indian athletes preserve getting higher every time. Today, on the world stage, they have already got very top quality in javelin throw. I hope that within the coming years they will even excel within the different disciplines of athletics,’ he added.
The Cuban additionally talked about that such infrastructure is essential for producing world-class performances.
‘In the subsequent 10 years, we need to have stadiums as huge as this in Cuba. We now have a way of what’s required,’ Sotomayor mentioned.
Palestinian athlete Mohammed Dwedar remained hopeful to compete on the JLN Stadium sometime.
‘It is my dream to come back and compete in a spot like this,’ the 24-year-old mentioned whereas stepping onto the monitor.
‘I’m so glad to come back to India and I want to come prepare right here, do numerous competitions and make nationwide data for my nation,’ he famous.
Sharad Kumar, two-time Paralympics medalist, described the assembly with Sotomayor as surreal.
‘He is an icon for each excessive jumper, and I’ve adopted him ever since I began my excessive leap journey. It is a privilege to satisfy him right here in India and have a data change,’ he mentioned.
In a heartwarming gesture, Sharad additionally related Sotomayor through FaceTime with fellow Indian excessive jumper Praveen Kumar, making certain each had an opportunity to work together with the legend.
Sotomayor and Dwedar had been part of the Ekamra Sports Literature Festival 2025 a day prior in New Delhi, as panelists for varied discussions. (ANI)