CubaBiography
Olympic champion. Considered one of the greatest long jumpers in history. He landed first eight meters in just age of seventeen. Won Ibero-American Champs in 1992 by jumping 8.53 metres as 19-years old.
Starting from winter of 1993, he won every single world championship title including indoors - except 1993 Stuttgart. He was five-time season leader in long jump in 1990s. Pedroso surpassed at least 8.30 metres barrier in eleven different seasons of his 18 year-long career.
After losing two Olympics long jump finals to Carl Lewis, he secured his ultimate goal in Sydney 2000 after a dramatic last-round win. Before the final attempt, Australian Jai Taurima led in the competition with 8.49 Oceanian record, but Pedroso jumped 8.55 to take gold.
He retired in 2007. Now he's based in Spain and working as a coach.
PERSONAL BEST
Long jump: 8.71m (1.9) in Salamanca, Spain (1993)
Long jump indoor: 8.62 in Maebashi, Japan (1999)
TRIVIA
♦ In 1995, his 8.96 (1.3) jump in Sestriere (ITA) not accepted as a world record because of the irregularity of wind measurement. Italian Athletics Federation did not send the result to IAAF due to a person who stood in front of the anemometer during that jump.
♦ Guided Yulimar Rojas to world record in Tokyo Olympics. He worked with Nelson Evora, Ana Peleterio, Teddy Tamgho as well.
♦ He is the second man to have most jumps over 8.50m (26 times) in long jump behind Carl Lewis (32 times).
♦ He was the flag bearer of Cuban Olympic Team in Athens.