Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine broke the world record in the women’s high jump at the Diamond League event in Paris, setting a magnificent precursor to the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Mahuchikh reached an incredible height of 2.10 metres.
This amazing achievement beat by one centimetre the previous record set by Stefka Kostadinova of Bulgaria at the 1987 World Championships in Rome.
With only a few days left before the Paris Games, Mahuchikh, the current world champion, has solidified her status as one of the leading competitors with a thrilling performance.
Mahuchikh stated; “The fact that I completed the jump on my first try — and it was amazing — makes me feel amazing.”
Mahuchikh started the competition at 1.92 metres, but she battled through three setbacks to clear 2.03 metres. She subsequently succeeded at 2.05 metres, and following a tense failure at 2.07 metres, she soon made it, creating a new personal best by an astounding one centimetre.
The Ukrainian athlete cleared the 2.10 metres bar on her first try, to thunderous cheers from the sold-out audience at Stade Charlety in southern Paris. In a moment of pure joy, she ran with her arms raised in triumph and embraced her coaching team.
“It was quite amazing, especially considering that on my second try, I just leaped 2.07, which was already a personal record,” she said
“In all honesty, I thought that I could accomplish it, and I decided to try for the world record, which I achieved on my first try, despite my coach’s advice that I should give up because the Olympic Games are approaching—of course, that is more important.”
Mahuchick commented; “Naturally, in addition to working hard to heal from a minor injury before the European Championships, my coaches and I have been working very hard.”
“As my coach always says, the Olympics are a celebration, so you should enjoy yourself, but you also need to be psychologically tough for such a big event.”