Leyanis Perez Hernandez of Cuba kisses her medal after the women's triple jump final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Song Yanhua)

TOKYO, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Cuba's Leyanis Perez Hernandez produced the performance of her life on Thursday night, leaping 14.94 meters to secure the women's triple jump crown at the World Athletics Championships and dethrone four-time world champion Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela.

Hernandez, 22, made her world-leading leap on her third attempt. The silver medal went to Thea Lafond of Dominica, who jumped 14.89m.

Despite a late surge, Rojas, who won Olympic gold at the same Tokyo stadium four years ago, could only manage 14.76m for the bronze. ■

Gold medalist Leyanis Perez Hernandez (C) of Cuba, silver medalist Thea Lafond (R) of Commonwealth of Dominica and bronze medalist Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela pose after the women's triple jump final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Song Yanhua)

Leyanis Perez Hernandez of Cuba celebrates after the women's triple jump final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

Thea Lafond of Commonwealth of Dominica celebrates after the women's triple jump final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)