Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh leaps over long-standing world record
Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh has made history by breaking one of the longest-standing world records in athletics.
On July 7, at the Meeting de Paris, part of the Wanda Diamond League, Mahuchikh cleared 2.10 metres, surpassing the previous record of 2.09 metres set by Bulgaria's Stefka Kostadinova in Rome in 1987.
“Coming into this competition, I had feelings that I could jump 2.07 metres and maybe 2.10 metres,” said Mahuchikh. “Finally I signed Ukraine to the history of world athletics.”
The 22-year-old Ukrainian's remarkable achievement sets the stage for her participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she is expected to be a key contender.
Mahuchikh's performance was nothing short of spectacular, as she outperformed world indoor champion Nicola Olyslagers. Both athletes matched each other’s second attempts at 2.01 metres, but after the Australian Olyslagers failed three times at 2.03 metres, Mahuchikh secured victory on her second try.
She then set the Ukrainian record on her second attempt at 2.07 metres before erasing Kostadinova’s long-standing record on her first try at 2.10 metres.
Mahuchikh is expected to carry the hopes of a war-torn Ukraine at the Paris 2024 Olympics after she left her hometown of Dnipro shortly following the Russian invasion.
Despite being away from home, she has remained vocal about the significance of Ukrainian sports in providing hope and inspiration to those fighting for the country's survival.
"We all are fighting for our people, for our soldiers… We should fight in every field to show that Ukraine is strongest," she said in June after successfully defending her European title.
The French capital is preparing for hundreds of thousands of visitors at the 16-day Olympics with the opening ceremony on July 26.
