The new world record holder in the women’s high jump is called Jaroslava Mahutjich.
It is clear after the Ukrainian jumped 2.10 meters during the Diamond League in Paris.
– I broke the world record for my country, says Mahutjich.
Mahutjich broke the 37-year-old world record of 2.09 held by Stefka Kostadinova of Bulgaria since 1987.
I was very happy already at 2.07 because it was my personal best. My coach said that maybe we should stay there because of the Olympics, but I said that I felt that we can do it, that I can jump 2.10. Then she said “okay, we’ll do it”, and I made it! I broke the world record for my country, and now at every competition they will say “Jaroslava Mahutjich, world record, from Ukraine”, says a happy Mahutjich on TV4.
22-year-old Mahutjich won the high jump competition by nine centimeters to runner-up Nicola Olyslagers from Australia, who thus jumped 2.01.
Duplanti’s surprise
After his feat, Mahutjich celebrated wildly and received many congratulatory hugs.
Every competition is important. Now I won and took the world record, I’m from Ukraine and we never give up, we will fight to the end, says the 22-year-old.
On the television pictures, Armand Duplantis could be seen looking surprised and happy when he learns that Mahutjich set a world record.
I saw the jump and I had no idea it was a world record attempt because it looked very easy almost. So I just “ah, shit”, because it feels like it’s a world record that’s been there forever. So it’s really, really impressive and it’s great fun for athletics and high jumping.
In a few weeks, Mahutjich returns to Paris for the Olympics.
Now I’m going to recover, I think I need a lot of recovery after the world record. At the Olympics I will do my best and of course I want to win the medal and add it to my collection.
Another world record
Mahutjich did not set Sunday’s only world record.
Faith Kipyegon. Archive image.
Faith Kipyegon. Archive image.
Photo: Brian Inganga/AP/TT
Later in the day, Faith Kipyegon of Kenya broke her own world record in the 1,500 meters when she ran 3.49.04.
Kipyegons improved his 2023 world record by seven hundredths. The 30-year-old won the Diamond League event by almost two seconds ahead of Australian Jessica Hull.
The Olympics in Paris open on July 26.