CARACAS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Millions of Venezuelans celebrated on Sunday after Yulimar Rojas broke the women's triple jump world record with a leap of 15.74 meters.
The Olympic champion set the new record at the 2022 Belgrade World Athletics Indoor Championships, and has become the first three-time consecutive World Champion in history.
Rojas, 26, had four valid jumps in the competition, all above 15 meters in length.
Thousands of Venezuelans congratulated the athlete on social media and local news agencies dubbed her the "queen" of national sports.
"Yulimar Rojas reigns with the world record of 15.74m and consecutive triple crown in Belgrade. We are celebrating in Venezuela!" the Venezuelan Olympic Committee wrote on Twitter.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia also posted a tweet celebrating Rojas' achievement, thanking the athlete "for representing the greatness of Venezuelan women and youth with such passion and determination."
Venezuela's Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez praised Rojas' "discipline and dedication", while journalist Erika Ortega Sanoja called her "the greatest Venezuelan athlete of all time."
The previous record of 15.43 meters was set by Rojas herself two years ago. ■
