On only 23 years old Perez achieved in her fourth attempt a leap that definitely raised her to the pinnacle of the discipline, confirming the progression of who had already been bronze in Budapest 2023, world champion indoors in Nanjing and owner of the Diamond League.

The silver went to the Dominican Thea Lafond, Olympic champion in Paris 2024, who stood at the gates with 14.89, while the bronze went to the Venezuelan Yulimar Rojas (14.76), living legend of the triple, four times monarch of the orb outdoors, three indoors, Olympic champion in Tokyo 2020 and still holding the world record.

Rojas’ return, after two years far from the athletic tracks due to an Achilles tendon injury that sidelined her from Paris 2024, added drama to a final that consecrated the new queen.

Other Caribbean figures also shone: the Cuban Liadagmis Povea, runner-up on the indoor track this year, was fourth with 14.72, and the Jamaican Shanieka Ricketts, Olympic silver in the French capital, was fifth with 14.56.

In a historic night for Latin American and Caribbean athletics, Pérez inscribed her name alongside the big names, raising her country and the continent on the same stage where Rojas reigned years ago.

abo/ro/blc