Jai Taurima

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Jai Desmond Taurima (born June 26, 1972 in Southport , Queensland ) is a former Australian long jumper .

Taurima was sixth at the Commonwealth Games in 1994 with 7.87 m. Four years later he was second behind his compatriot Paul Burge, both jumping 8.22 m. At the 1999 World Championships in Seville, he improved his personal best to 8.35 m. That was only enough for fourth place, but Taurima was only two inches behind second, the local hero Yago Lamela . Only Iván Pedroso from Cuba was clearly ahead as world champion.

At the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000, Pedroso had to deal again with a local hero. After three attempts, Taurima led 8.34 m. In the fourth attempt, Pedroso rose to 8.41 m. Taurima improved his personal best and the Oceania record to 8.40 m. Pedroso's fifth attempt was invalid, Taurima increased his record again to 8.49 m. In the sixth and last attempt, Pedroso took the lead again with 8.55 m. As the last jumper in the competition, Taurima was only 8.28 m. Pedroso won gold, Taurima silver.

In 2001 and 2002 Taurima did not succeed much, then he ended his career. With a height of 1.88 m he had a competition weight of 80 kg.

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personal data
SURNAME Taurima, Jai
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Taurima, Jai Desmond
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Australian long jumper
DATE OF BIRTH June 26, 1972
PLACE OF BIRTH Southport (Australia)