Arnstadt, Germany - Records don’t come cheaply at the indoor high-jumping Mecca of Arnstadt.  But last night, at the 29th edition of the meeting, not one, but two men bettered this long-running fixture’s best with world-leading 2.37 leaps.

Coincidentally, both carry the first name of Jaroslav, as Rybakov of Russia and Baba of the Czech Republic both established personal bests in a spell-binding competition in this charming Thuringian town. 

Rybakov’s first-jump success at 2.37 won the competition on a count-back against Baba, who needed three jumps. 

Athens winner Stefan Holm, only placing third despite a 2.35 jump, assured that the men’s division of the High Jump with music would have the best three-deep results of any meeting in indoor history, aside from  World and European Championship competition.   

Rybakov, who seems to be consolidating his position as this indoor season’s top high jumper, was enthusiastic about the jumping facility in Arnstadt, as well he should be.  “The spring from the floor is good, and the rubber surface gives me good, consistent assistance,” he critiqued after the competition, when the normally stoic Russian finally broke into a smile.  “And the people who crowded into the hall provided great atmosphere,” he added, unintentionally neglecting to mention the rock music which accompanied the jumpers all afternoon. 

Rybakov was all business throughout the competition. There were no visible signs of emotion with each clearance, and there was no consideration of passing any height after his opening 2.20. The Moscow resident took every bar as it was offered and was perfect, all the way up to his winning 2.37.  Only at the competition-ending 2.39 did he register his first misses of the day. 

Rybakov’s coach and father, Vladimir, conferred with his son after each clearance.  But it was unusual to see such a lengthy discussion after such rapid-fire successful attempts.

“We needed to discuss some little things after each jump,” he remarked in limited but articulate English. “I still don’t really have a 100% stable technique,” he admitted.  Rybakov’s upcoming stops will be in Stockholm and Tallinn, before the European Indoor Championships in Madrid.

For Baba, his third-attempt clearance of 2.37 erased an 18-year-old Czech national record previously held by Jan Zvara.  The Olympic bronze medallist seems to thrive on a heavy schedule.  Today was already his fourth indoor appearance during the young season, with at least six more planned, not counting the obligatory European Championships appearance.

Holm injury concern 

The missing face on the top step of the medal platform yesterday was that of Olympic champion Stefan Holm who absorbed his third loss in a thus far winless season.  It was the Swede’s fragile body and not his inability to jump which left him unable to continue after a first-attempt 2.35, which placed him third.

Holm passed 2.37 and was on his initial approach at 2.39 when he suddenly stopped about ten metres in front of the mat. He took off his vest, slammed it to the ground, and then kicked it in disgust.  Waving to the crowd, he began massaging his left hamstring.

“I’ve never had this since the day I was born,” he said later.  “Never EVER had an injury.” 

Holm’s manager, Daniel Wessfeldt, revealed that Holm had noticed a cramp when jumping at 2.33.  He had continued with a successful clearance at 2.35 but passed 2.37 in order to give the cramp time to pass.  The condition did not abate, and last year’s top jumper decided not to risk further injury by continuing.

Holm will return directly to Sweden to confer with his physiotherapist.  His upcoming appearances will depend on how quickly his left leg responds to treatment. 

Ukrainian Andrey Sokolovskiy placed fourth with his season best of 2.33, but his emotions ran like a roller coaster as the competition reached its climax.  Barely surviving 2.31 with a successful third attempt, the Athens fifth-placer immediately shot to the top of the standings with his opening 2.33, but he was unable to improve after that. 

Matt Hemingway of the US finished fifth at 2.31, also a season best. 

WOMEN – Chicherova leaps 2m

Almost lost in the euphoria surrounding the men’s accomplishments was the world-leading 2.00 jump by the defending Arnstadt champion, Anna Chicherova of Russia.  Although without the perfection shown by her countryman Rybakov, Chicherova managed to stay alive with second-attempt clearances of 1.91, 1.94, and 1.97 before registering a third-round success at 2.00 while jumping alone.  Three solid but unsuccessful attempts at 2.03 closed out the women’s competition. 

Viktoria Styopina of Ukraine and Tatyana Novoseltseva of Russia tied for second at 1.94. 

To provide spectator appeal, the meeting management paired each male and female competitor into “teams” with a random draw, and then the audience had a chance to submit written predictions regarding the outcome.  When Rybakov and Chicherova ended up paired together, no one else had a chance. 

MEN:

1. Rybakov (RUS) 2.37 (world leader) [2.20 – 2.25 – 2.28 – 2.31 – 2.33 – 2.35 – 2.37 – 2.39/xxx]; 
2. Baba (CZE) 2.37 (world leader, national record) [2.20 – 2.25 – 2.28 – 2.31/p - 2.33/2 – 2.35 – 2.37/3 – 2.39/xxx];
3. Holm (SWE) 2.35 [2.20 – 2.25/2 – 2.28 – 2.31 – 2.33 – 2.35 – 2.37/p – 2.39/xp (injured)];
4. Sokolovskiy (UKR) 2.33 [2.20 – 2.25/2 – 2.28 – 2.31/3 – 2.33 – 2.35/xxx]; 
5. Hemingway (USA) 2.31;
6. Ton (CZE) 2.25;
7. Voronin (RUS) 2.25;
8. Boswell (CAN) 2.25. 

WOMEN:

1. Chicherova (RUS) 2.00 (world leader) [1.80 – 1.85 – 1.88 – 1.91/2 – 1.94/2 – 1.97/2 – 2.00/3 – 2.03/xxx]; 
2. Styopina (UKR) and Novoseltseva (RUS) 1.94; 
4. Iagar (ROM) 1.91; 
5. Mykhalchenko (UKR) 1.91;
6. Strakovà (CZE) 1.88;
7. Seryogina (RUS) 1.85;
8. Kaliturina (RUS) 1.80.