Cowley leaps to silver, Olympic record
Brisbane schoolboy Joshua Cowley has come within a centimetre of long jump gold despite breaking a Youth Olympics record.
The 17-year-old was forced to settle for silver in Buenos Aires after Cuban Lester Lescay pipped him to first place by a mere centimetre across two days of jumping.
Lescay's final-stage leap of 7.89m overturned Cowley's six-centimetre day-one advantage to claim the gold with a combined total of 15.54m.
But Cowley, whose commitment has been compared to Australian hurdler Sally Pearson, was far from disappointed.
"That's definitely the highlight of my career," he said.
"It's only just starting to sink in now. Standing on the dais I was just so proud and stoked to come away with silver."
Cowley may not be returning to Brisbane State High School with the gold around his neck, but he has etched his name in the record books.
His new personal best mark of 7.82m with a +1.5 tailwind was assessed as the Youth Games record after Lescay's +4.3 winning wind-assisted jump was ruled ineligible.
Long-distance runner Jaylah Hancock-Cameron overcame blistering heat to grab silver for Australia in the 1500m/cross country event.
"When I crossed the line I had nothing going through my mind. I just collapsed, I was spent," the 16-year-old said.
"I found out I got silver when I was in the tent and it was so exciting."
The day nine double took Australia's medal haul to 14 (four gold, seven silver and three bronze) to sit 11th overall.
