Kim Jang-woo falls short in men's triple jump

Kim Jang-woo failed to advance in the men’s triple jump on Wednesday, finishing with a distance of 16.31 meters, 79 centimeters short of the 17.10-meter qualification standard.

Korea's Kim Jang-woo competes in the men's triple jump qualifiers in Paris on Wednesday. [AP/YONHAP]

Kim Jang-woo failed to advance in the men’s triple jump on Wednesday, finishing with a distance of 16.31 meters, 79 centimeters short of the 17.10-meter qualification standard.

Jumping fifth in the qualification A group at the Stade de France on Wednesday, Kim improved his distance with each of his three jumps: From 15.66 meters to 16.14 meters and finally 16.31 meters.

Only a handful of athletes made the qualification standard, with the best of the rest also advancing to create a 12-athlete field for the final.

Kim, a first time Olympian, is the second of three Koreans competing in athletics in Paris. Choe Byeong-kwang finished 42nd in race walking last week, with Woo Sang-hyeok, the only serious medal contender in the Korean athletics contingent, will compete in the men’s high jump final on Saturday.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]