Anna Chicherova of Russia celebrates victory in the women's high jump final (© Getty Images)
World high jump champion Anna Chicherova and Yuriy Borzakovskiy, the 800m bronze medallist in Daegu, were named Russian athletes of the year by the All-Russia Athletics Federation.
After winning silver at both the 2007 and 2009 World Championships, Chicherova finally ascended to the top podium step in Daegu after defeating defending champion Blanka Vlasic on countback at 2.03m. Her Daegu triumph came just six weeks after she scaled 2.07m at the national championships in Cheboksary, a national record which elevated Chicherova to the equal No. 4 position on the all-time world list.
In a close vote held over the weekend at the Federation's annual meeting, World Javelin Throw champion Maria Abakumova was second, followed by Mariya Savinova, the World 800m champion. In what was perhaps the finest women's Javelin Throw competitions ever, Abakumova took gold in Daegu with a 71.99m effort to move into the NO. 2 spot all-time.
On the men's side, Borzakovskiy edged 20Km Race Walk champion Valeriy Borchin in the vote. The veteran 800m ace returned from injury to win his fourth outdoor World Championships medal. Borchin, meanwhile, successfully defended his world title.
All-Russian Athletics Federation for the IAAF
