Sweden’s Stefan Holm who was taking part in his farewell competition here in Stuttgart was hoping that his 132nd clearance over 2.30 in an international career spanning 14 years would be enough to bow out victorious.

Unfortunately it wasn’t going to be, his party crasher being no other than Olympic champion Andrey Silnov who topped today’s standing with a competition record 2.35.

It looked as though matters would be settled when the bar was at 2.31 and Holm was holding on to what looked to be a secure lead with his second round clearance at that height. With all other competitors already out of contention, Silnov who hasn’t lost a high jump final since the Russian Championships back in July was uncharacteristically in trouble having registered two fouls at 2.31.

Conscious of his superiority this year, Silnov decided to pass and save his last attempt for the next height and with what looked like a good 5 centimetres to spare he cleared 2.33 for the sixth time in less than three months.

It was game on!

Holm responded with the class of the champion that he is sailing over 2.33 the first time around and regained the lead.

But it was all that would be coming from the diminutive Swede, the 2004 Olympic champion, as 2.35 proved too high for his 32-year-old legs today.

Meanwhile Silnov went clear at 2.35 sealing a wonderful year for the 2006 European champion. Holm saved his last for 2.37 and although he made a brave effort, it was just not quite enough to end his exceptional career on a high.

Silnov paid tribute to the man that preceded him as Olympic champion: “You are great, thank you Stefan.”

Holm thanked the 18,000 spectators before going on to what he hopes life after retirement will be like. “I just want to live a normal life,” he said.

For the record, USA’s Jesse Williams was third with 2.29 ahead of Olympic bronze medallist Yaroslav Rybakov of Russia who needed two attempts at that same height.

Laura Arcoleo for the IAAF