Brazilian underlines her class in Pan American Games long jump

Guadalajara: Maurren Maggi came into the Pan American Games as the woman to beat in the long jump, and she will leave Mexico the same way.

The Brazilian jumper won her third Pan American Games title in the event, leaping 6.94 metres on Wednesday to claim another gold medal.

"It was a jump that I needed at the worlds," said Maggi, the Olympic gold medalist from Beijing who finished 11th in the long jump at the world championships this year. "I was able to close out the year incredibly well in a competition, which was important for me because I was trying to become a three-time champion and I did it."

Very proud

"Personally, this was more important for me than the worlds," Maggi said. "I don't know how many women have been a three-time champion like me. So I'm very proud to be a three-time winner at the Pan Ams."

Brazil had a good night on the track, also getting gold from Leandro Oliveira in the men's 1,500 metres and from Lucimara Da Silva in the heptathlon.

Americans leading

But despite the run, the Brazilians still trail the United States in the medals table with 33 gold and 90 overall. The Americans are way out front with 70 gold and 187 overall.

Colombian athletes also had a big day in Guadalajara — both on the track and in general.

Yenifer Padilla won the women's 400 and Maria Oliveros won the women's 400 hurdles, while Jossimar Calvo won the men's all-around in gymnastics and Colombian teammates added two more golds in weightlifting and another couple in roller skating.

Also, Cuba picked up five more golds. In men's basketball, the United States held on to beat the Dominican Republic 77-76.