Lebedeva beats pain barrier

Reigning world women's triple jump champion Tatyana Lebedeva yesterday qualified for the final of the event in Berlin but has admitted that her preparations were disrupted by a nagging back injury.

Lebedeva recorded a best jump of 14.45m, the qualification standard ahead of tomorrow's final, but said she was "not that satisfied" with her performance.

"I had problems with my back and I did not feel safe during the competition," said the 33-year-old Russian, who has claimed world golds in the triple jump (2001, 2003) and long jump (2007).

"During my final preparations I have not been doing any technical jumping because of the injury. I only did running, weightlifting and other things.

"During the warm-up today, I tried jumping and I was a little afraid. In the end, I am happy because of the result.

"It gives me big motivation for the final and now I feel much more confident that I can even jump further."

Aside from her medal haul at the worlds, Lebedeva won Olympic long jump gold at the 2004 Athens Games, a double silver in both disciplines in Beijing last year, and a triple jump silver and bronze from Sydney and Athens respectively.

She was also the sole winner of the one-million-dollar Golden League jackpot in the 2005 season.