Russia's Yaroslav Rybakov in the men's high jump qualifying (© Getty Images)
The High Jump qualifying got serious at 2.27m led by the Russian one-two of Yaroslav Rybakov and Andrey Tereshin. Rybakov, equal world leader this winter on 2.37, cleared each height at the first time of asking as did the next five qualifiers: Tereshin, triple World Indoor champion, Stefan Holm of Sweden and his compatriot, the newcomer, Linus Thörnblad, who has cleared 2.34 this winter.
Andriy Sokolovskiy of the Ukraine and Victor Moya of Cuba also went through without a hitch. The Cuban, World Athletics Final winner and World outdoor silver medallist, took the opportunity to raise his personal best indoors to 2.27 from 2.23, but there is clearly more to come. Jumping in the mould of compatriot and World record holder, Javier Sotomayor, Moya will be seeking to continue his run of form that saw him go as high as 2.35 outdoors last summer. These six were joined by 2.24 qualifiers, Giulio Ciotti of Italy and Robert Wolski of Poland.
Surprisingly eliminated was Svatoslav Ton of the Czech Republic, a 2.33 performer this winter, who went out at 2.24.
Germany’s Roman Fricke and US indoor champion, Adam Shunk, were first to go at the opening height of 2.15, well below their season’s bests of 2.28 and 2.25 respectively.
MB
Andriy Sokolovskiy of the Ukraine and Victor Moya of Cuba also went through without a hitch. The Cuban, World Athletics Final winner and World outdoor silver medallist, took the opportunity to raise his personal best indoors to 2.27 from 2.23, but there is clearly more to come. Jumping in the mould of compatriot and World record holder, Javier Sotomayor, Moya will be seeking to continue his run of form that saw him go as high as 2.35 outdoors last summer. These six were joined by 2.24 qualifiers, Giulio Ciotti of Italy and Robert Wolski of Poland.
Surprisingly eliminated was Svatoslav Ton of the Czech Republic, a 2.33 performer this winter, who went out at 2.24.
Germany’s Roman Fricke and US indoor champion, Adam Shunk, were first to go at the opening height of 2.15, well below their season’s bests of 2.28 and 2.25 respectively.
MB
