Dwight Phillips wins fourth world long jump title

Daegu: American Dwight Phillips successfully defended his world long jump title on Friday, leaping 8.45 meters on his second and final valid attempt to see off the challenge of Australian Mitch Watt.

The 33-year-old has had a poor season and qualified for Deagu on the back of his gold medal triumph in Berlin two years ago. But he found his form when he needed it to claim a fourth world title after earlier successes in 2003 and 2005. Watt, who had dominated the season and had the biggest jump of the year of 8.54, leaped 8.33 on his second jump but was unable to better that mark over his final four attempts. The 23-year-old took silver to add to the bronze he won in Berlin two years ago, while Zimbabwe`s Ngonidzashe Makusha took the bronze with his opening leap of 8.29. Bureau Report