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USA's Jeff Henderson leaps to gold in long jump

RIO DE JANEIRO — Jeff Henderson came through on his final jump to claim the gold medal in the men's long jump on Saturday at the Rio Olympics. It's the first gold in the event for the USA since 2004.

Jeff Henderson (USA) competes in the men's long jump at Estadio Olimpico Joao Havelange in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games. (Photo: Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)

RIO DE JANEIRO — Jeff Henderson came through on his final jump to claim the gold medal in the men's long jump on Saturday at the Rio Olympics. It's the first gold in the event for the USA since 2004.

Henderson leaped 8.38 meters, 27 feet, 6 inches to edge past Luvo Manyonga (8.37) of South Africa by 1 centimeter.

Defending gold medalist Greg Rutherford (8.29) of Great Britain took the bronze.

Jarrion Lawson of the USA, who finished fourth, uncorked a big jump on his final attempt, but his fingers dragged into the sand at 7.78 meters. There was a delay while officials sorted it out.

Henderson's gold is the 999th in Olympic history for the USA.

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