IAAF Grand Prix meet at Crystal Palace on Friday night.

Wellman jumped 16.84 metres (55 feet, three inches), well behind Jonathan Edwards of England who continues to shine on the eve of next month's World Outdoor Championships in Gothenurg, Sweden.

Edwards, who limped off with an ankle injury after failing in his latest bid to break the world record, jumped 17.69 metres (581 ) while Yoelvis Queseda of Cuba was second with a leap of 17.36 metres (56-111 ).

It was Wellman's second consecutive jump below 17 metres and second weakest during 15 competitions this year.

Third was Francis Agyepong of England (17.18/56-41 ) while Jamaica's James Beckford (16.99/55-9) was fourth.

After two wind-assisted jumps over 59 feet in successive weeks, Edwards hoped to break the mark of 58-111 set by Willie Banks in 1985.

While the wind offered no problems, a slight left ankle strain did, and Edwards pulled out after his winning third jump.

"I felt it in last weekend's meeting at Gateshead, but I kept on jumping because it was my home crowd,'' Edwards said. "It's been a busy couple of weeks and I'm feeling very tired.'' Wellman was unavailable for comment.

Brian Wellman