Ivan Ukhov sails over 2.36 in Hustopece (© Vaclav Salek)
Russian Ivan Ukhov cleared a world-leading 2.36 to highlight the opening leg of the 4th Moravian High Jump tour on Saturday (19). With his third attempt clearance, the 21-year-old Russian indoor record holder added a centimetre to his own 2008 pacing performances, and bettered Jaroslav Baba's 2.35 meeting record set in 2005.
But it wasn't smooth sailing for Ukhov, who faced stiff competition from Swede Linus Thornblad. Ukhov began with first attempt clearances at 2.15 and 2.24, but missed his first at 2.30. He then passed to 2.32, need both of his remaining attempts.
Thornblad sailed through 2.30 without a miss, and cleared 2.32 on his second attempt. The Swede struck first at 2.34, clearing on his first try, forcing Ukhov to pass again. Thornblad had three very good attempts at 2.36, but only Ukhov managed, succeeding with his third attempt.
His win sealed, Ukhov then took one try at 2.41 before calling it a day.
"It is still start of the season," Ukhov said, "I need more work on my technique. I think 240 will also come in near future." Ukhov national indoor record stands at 2.39, set last year.
Third place went to Russian Aleksey Dmitrik who cleared 2.30. From the local elite, Svatoslav Ton was the best with a 2.27 best. Jaroslav Baba achieved 2.24 and Tomas Janku could not complete due to a slight hamstring problem.
Palamar, Friedrich reach 1.99, also World leads
The women's competition also witnessed a new 2008 World lead. Ukraine's Vita Palamar won the competition with a 1.99 leap on her first attempt, also a meeting record. Rising German star Ariana Friedrich continued her improvement, successfully clearing 1.99 on her third attempt, to add two centimetres to her week-old career best. Both marks were the best ever leaps indoors in the Czech Republic.
Czech Iva Strakova went over 1.95, an Olympic qualifier, to finish third.
A capacity crowd of 600 turned out for the event. The series continues on Monday in Trinec.
Alfons Juck for the IAAF
Results:
1. Ivan Ukhov, RUS 236 MR, WL
2. Linus Thornblad, SWE 234
3. Aleksey Dmitrik, RUS 230
4. Svatoslav Ton, CZE 227
5. Peter Horak, SVK 227
6. Jaroslav Baba, CZE 224
7. Oskari Frosen, FIN 224
8. Gerardo Martinez, MEX 220 NR
9. Jamie Nieto, USA 220
10. Viktor Shapoval, UKR 220
wom:
1. Vita Palamar,UKR 199 MR, WL
2. Ariane Friedrich,GER 199 MR, WL
3. Iva Strakova, CZE, 195
4. Romana Dubnova, CZE 192
5. Viktoriya Klyugina, RUS 192
6t. Viktoriya Styopina, UKR and Barbora Lalakova, CZE 189
8. Tatyana Efimenko, KGZ 189
9. Karina Vnukova, LTU 189
10t. Doreen Amata, NGR 185 NR and Deirdre Ryan, IRL 185
12. Dora Gyorffy,HUN 185
