Irving Jahir Saladino Aranda of Panama competes during the men's long jump final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Irving Jahir Saladino Aranda won the gold. [Xinhua Photo]

Irving Saladino became on Monday evening the national hero for Panama by winning his country's first Olympic gold medal.

World champion Saladino reached 8.34 meters in the men's long jump at the Beijing Olympics. Before the victory in Beijing, Panama only had two bronze medals both won by Lloyd LaBeach in the men's 100m and 200m sprints in 1948.

Khotso Mokoena of South Africa got the silver medal with 8.24 meters and Ibrahim Camejo won Cuba a bronze medal with 8.20 meters.

Irving Saladino became on Monday evening the national hero for Panama by winning his country's first Olympic gold medal. [Xinhua]

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2008)