Yaroslava Mahuchikh in the high jump at the World Athletics Indoor Tour meeting in Glasgow (© Dan Vernon)
Yaroslava Mahuchikh opened her season with a bang, topping 2.02m at the Christmas Starts meeting in Kiev on Saturday (9).
The world silver medallist was in masterful early season form, clearing 1.80m, 1.86m, 1.89m, 1.92m, 1.95m, 1.98m and 2.02m all with her first attempts, the latter equalling the Ukrainian indoor record she set last year. Mahuchikh, who won't turn 20 until September, then bowed out with three tries at 2.04m.
In a solid competition, her Ukrainian compatriot Yuliya Levchenko was second at 1.95m with Iryna Gerashchenko third with 1.92m. Levchenko also produced a perfect score card through 1.95m before three misses at 1.98m.
Kennedy tops 4.75m in Perth
In outdoor action, pole vaulter Nina Kennedy improved her lifetime best to 4.75m at a meeting in Perth, Australia, on Friday (8).
The 23-year-old, a finalist at the World Indoor Championships in 2018, then bowed out at 4.82m, a would-be Australian record height.
Commonwealth champion Kurtis Marschall won the men's event with a 5.80m clearance, before bowing out at 5.85m, a would-be outdoor personal best for the 23-year-old.
US Indoor Championships cancelled
USA Track & Field announced on Friday that the 2021 US Indoor Championships, originally scheduled for 20-21 February in Albuquerque, have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, USATF said that its COVID-19 Working Group of medical and scientific experts worked diligently to develop a rigorous set of protocols for conducting the championships. However, it had become apparent that restrictions in the State of New Mexico, coupled with other logistical challenges for the event were too severe to overcome.
Bob Ramsak for World Athletics
