Aug 14, 2005 2 min read

HELSINKI, Finland (AP) – Dwight Phillips wanted to win the gold medal in the long jump at the world track and field championships. Check.

Phillips also wanted to set a world record.

Maybe next time.

The American Olympic champion easily won the world title with a huge leap of 28 feet, 2 3/4 inches – matching his personal best – on his first attempt Saturday. He then went after the record on his next five attempts.

“I wanted to break the world record but came up with five fouls,” Phillips said. “I’m capable of jumping nine meters (29-61/2) … I don’t usually jump far in practice, but earlier this year in Madrid I think I had a marginal foul that was right there near nine meters.”

The world record was set by Mike Powell at the 1991 worlds in Tokyo. Powell jumped 29-41/2 to better the 23-year-old record of Bob Beamon.

“I have promised Mike Powell to break it. In the following competitions that is the only thing I am concentrating on,” Phillips said.

Still, the record wasn’t the most important thing in Helsinki.

“I had a personal goal of mine to win four world championship medals. This is No. 2 so I have two more to go,” said Phillips, who won his first gold two years ago in Paris with a jump of 27-3 3/4.

That distance would not have given Phillips the win on Saturday. Ignisious Gaisah of Ghana jumped 27-41/2 to take the silver medal. Tommi Evila of Finland got bronze with a leap of 27-3/4.

It still wasn’t close, though.

“I wasn’t concerned about the other athletes. I was focusing only on my own performance,” Phillips said. “I am happy I was able to come out here tonight and dominate the field.”

The bronze medal, Finland’s first at the event, sent the local crowd cheering wildly.

“When I came here, I believed I can medal and it feels good to do so,” Evila said.