Pre Classic/DL Final — Women’s Field

IT TOOK a world-leading jump for Yaroslava Mahuchikh to claim the trophy. Rival Nicola Olyslagers matched that 6-8 (2.03) on her third attempt to raise her Australian record. But Ukraine’s world champion finished her season unbeaten since back-to-back losses to Olyslagers and Ukrainian teammate Iryna Herashchenko at Lausanne and Monaco in July.

Four in the 7-women field were eliminated by the fourth bar setting — including USATF champ Vashti Cunningham, who scaled 6-3¼ (1.91) and then missed at 6-4¾ (1.95).

That left Mahuchikh and Olyslagers with no misses and Angelina Topić — the 18-year-old WC 7th-placer whose father Dragutin earned a high jump 4th at the ’96 Olympics.

For teen Topić, who went over 6-4¾ on first try, the next height 6-6 (1.98) would have been a PR by a centimeter and was a bar too far this time. Mahuchikh made it on her first attempt, while Olyslagers slipped over on third.

The Aussie smiled and played engagingly to the crowd when she got over 6-7 (2.03) on first, as did Mahuchikh when she matched that.

On to 6-8, scaled by no jumper this year — until now as Mahuchikh glided over with solid bar clearance. Olyslagers needed all three tries and on her last left the jiggled bar in place before bounding off the pit all smiles and waving arms to celebrate her national record.

When neither jumper got over 6-8¾ (2.05) — Mahuchikh owns a 6-9 (2.06) best from the ’21 indoor campaign — the Ukrainian left happy having defended her DL title.

“I’m happy that I have the opportunity to compete and show all the world that we are strongest, we are from Ukraine,” said Mahuchikh, a symbol of hope in her embattled country. “It’s really a pleasure to compete here again. Now it’s extra important because it’s precious that I have the opportunity to represent my country and show all the world that in my country… we are fighting and all our people are fighting in different spheres. I’m fighting on the track and after this I have opportunity to talk to journalists so I talk and spread all news to all the world. I have hope and belief that next year it’s finally over.”

Results

1. Yaroslava Mahuchikh (Ukr) 6-8 (2.03) (WL) (6-3¼, 6-4¾, 6-6, 6-7, 6-8 [2], 6-8¾ [xxx]) (1.91, 1.95, 1.98, 2.01, 2.03 [2], 2.05 [xxx]); 2. Nicola Olyslagers (Aus) 6-8 NR…