By Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh, the reigning World Champion, first set a Personal Best and new National Record by clearing 2.07m with her second attempt. She had always believed she could achieve this feat, ever since she cleared 2.04m at the 2019 Worlds, setting the all-time U20 record. Stefka Kostadinova’s 2.09m high jump record from the 1987 World Championships was the target.
On Sunday, during an incredible evening of track and field action at the Paris Diamond League, the 37-year-old World Record was finally broken. Mahuchikh had mentioned in April that she needed to mature mentally and gain more speed to break the senior world record. She believed the stars needed to align for it to happen.
Ukrainian High Jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh Shatters Record
At Stade Charléty, with the 2024 Summer Games just over two weeks away, everything fell into place for Mahuchikh. Attempting the all-time record of 2.10m, she began her run-up with a smile, accelerated beautifully, and cleared the height on her first attempt. The bar wobbled but stayed on, and she celebrated with disbelief and joy as the crowd gasped.
Despite this achievement, the reigning World Champion and Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist dismissed suggestions that she is the clear favorite for the Paris Olympics, which begins on July 26. “I am looking forward to the Olympic Games here. I am sure it will be a great competition with an even better atmosphere, but I know it will be hard and very competitive,” she said.
