This is Deji Ogeyingbo’s column on Burkina Faso’s first gold medalist, Hughes Fabrice Zango!
Patience and Perseverance were the fuel for Zango’s eventual Gold in the men’s Triple Jump
“My story, the story of Burkina Faso, the story of Africa, the story of the triple Jump.” The story is sweeter when it ends with Gold, and that’s what Fabrice Zango tweeted after his first Gold medal at the world championships in Budapest. It’s a story that has been fueled by patience and perseverance, and with a 17.64m mark, he has turned Bronze in Doha in 2019 and Silver in Eugene in 2022 to a GOLD medal in 2023.
That’s his story. But like the journey, which has been filled with so many near misses, the final inside the National Athletics center was palpable as it saw so many changes with the top three, plus the sudden injury to the bookie’s favorite Jaydon Hibbert- who is the world U20 Champion, as he had to scratch from the first round.
In a heart-pounding display of athleticism and determination, the 30-year-old Zango from Burkina Faso claimed the coveted Gold in the men’s triple jump, solidifying his place among the world’s elite athletes. The stage was set at the international arena, and Zango’s journey to the top was a roller-coaster of fierce competition and breathtaking leaps.
Having previously secured an Olympic bronze in Tokyo, Zango was no stranger to the pressure and expectations of high-stakes competition. The final was graced by the absence of Portugal’s world and Olympic champion Pedro Pablo Pichardo, yet the event’s quality and intensity remained unparalleled. Zango’s performance was a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence, and the battle for gold was nothing short of thrilling.
Zango’s quest for gold commenced with a powerful opening effort of 17.37m, immediately establishing his dominance and leaving his competitors trailing behind. Algeria’s Yaser Triki trailed by a significant 41 centimeters after the first round, a testament to Zango’s early grip on the contest. However, the dynamics of the competition shifted dramatically in the second round, as Cuba’s Lazaro Martinez surged ahead with a leap of 17.41m, pushing Zango to second place.
Zango faced fierce contenders as the rounds progressed, with China’s Zhu Yaming and Cristian Napoles of Cuba showcasing their mettle. Napoles’s fervent celebration followed a personal best…
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