Dwight Phillips of the United States proved he is the best long jumper in the world this year, winning the men's final tonight with a massive first leap of 8.59 meters at the Olympic Games here on Thursday.

Dwight Phillips stands on the podium of the men's long jump final at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Aug. 26,2004. Dwight Phillips won the gold medal with a jump of 8.59 metres.

Wearing golden colored shoes, Phillips hit his first attempt cleanly on the board and landed just one centimeter short of his personal best.

His next two jumps were big in distance but were judged to be fouls, the third pushing his bodyweight so far forward that he landed face first in the sand. He then limped from the pit and passed the next two jumps. In the final round, he recorded 8.35m, the third longest jump of the evening.

Phillips said that his goal was not only to win the gold but to break the world record.

"I felt great. I wanted to break the world record, but I tried too hard and when you try too hard it never happens," he said.

Phillips, last year's world champion, said it was a dream come true.

"I'm so happy to represent the United States and to bring home the gold. This has been a lifetime dream of mine to come out here and do this."

His teammate John Moffitt was the surprise silver medallist, landing his fifth round jump perfectly on the board and hanging in the air long enough to fly out to a personal best of 8.47m.

"You just can't beat that, USA going one-two," said a jubilant Moffitt. "It has been a long journey though, we worked hard for this."

Moffitt was all praise for the gold winner.

"Dwight Phillips is a great competitor. He went out there and did it on his first jump. I just continued to work hard and came through on my fifth jump and won the silver medal."

Spaniard Joan Lino Martinez won the bronze medal with his second round effort of 8.32m.

The 1996 Olympic silver medallist, James Beckford of Jamaica, was only one centimeter behind with his fourth round leap of 8.31m.

Reigning Olympic champion, Ivan Pedroso of Cuba has struggled this season and could only manage 8.23m to finish seventh.

Men's long jump results

Following are the leading men's long jump results at the Olympic Games here on Thursday:

1. Dwight Phillips, United States, 8.59m

2. John Moffit, United States, 8.47

3. Joan Lino Martinez, Spain, 8.32

4. Jamese Beckford, Jamaica, 8.31

5. Christopher Tomlinson, 8.25

6. Ignisious Gaisah, Ghana, 8.24

7. Ivan Pedroso, 8.23

8. Bogdan Tarus, Romania, 8.21