Greg Rutherford has set a new British Record after jumping 8.51m in a competition in Chula Vista, San Diego.
The Olympic Champion, who previously shared the record of 8.35m with fellow Brit Chris Tomlinson, is currently in America for warm weather training ahead of the 2014 season.
It was his fourth attempted where he registered the jump after two fouls and a 8.18m distance.
Clearly, the San Diego based Meet has a hint of luck for him, as it was at that same competition two-years ago that he equalled the British Record during his preparation for London 2012.
Afterwards, 27-year-old took to Twitter to announce the news and was clearly delighted with his day’s work.
He said: “It’s 10pm in San Diego and 6am in the UK. If you’re just waking up I am now the British record holder after jumping 8.51 today in San Diego.”
“This has been a very long time coming! I’m shaking. I can’t believe how amazing today has been. Absolutely buzzing.
“Wow my body is feeling it now. Thanks for all the amazing messages. I’ve waited a long time for this. More to come #851 British Record.”
Rutherford has been unfortunate with injuries and set back since his gold medal victory in London two-years ago, but after winning convincingly overnight, that victory and record could signal the start of a big year of competition.
He will be competing at the BT Great City Games next month to continue his preparation for the forthcoming season, as he will look to continue this form at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and may be the European Championships after jumping well over the qualifying distance to be selected.
If selected, the Milton Keynes athlete may well be a firm favourite for a podium place for both competitions as he looks to recapture the form that he did to win the gold in 2012.
