Mike, cant believe you made comment before reading the weblink above your response. Let me share the salient points:
AL: What do you think of the current new crop of US jumpers: Davis, Rusan & Bell & who do you think of those guys has the most potential? Can they put the US back into a position of power in what has recently been a European-dominated event?
WB: I think Kenta Bell has the potential to put the US back in contention. It is a shame that Kenny Harrison quit because if he had continued, I think the triple jump would still be a US event. Davis is strong but lacks the finesse and technical skills of a world record-holder. He reminds me of Charlie Simpkins who I think was probably the most dangerous triple jumper ever to jump.
If he had learned how to triple jump correctly he would have gone 18.50m. Charlie could hop step into the pit from 42 feet (12.80m) but he never had them move the board back so he could get a good jump in. Charlie had terrible skill but incredible ability. Davis has similar attributes. Don't know much about Rusan.
AL: Who do you consider to be your greatest rival?
WB: Mike Conley, could never shake him. However, I think Charlie Simpkins could have been the all-time best triple jumper ever but I did not fear him like Mike because Charlie never understood his weakness and correct it.
WB: Kenny Harrison is the last of the Willie Banks style jumpers. If you look at his technique, it was very similar to mine…There is a lack of techicians now because there is no one to teach them. Randy Huntington can teach it, so can I, but most jumpers don't have the ability to do it. They all want to be Jonathan Edwards.
WB- as a world class, record jumping individual, A1
WB- as a coach, instructor, role model, "the WB"
