Ukrainian athlete sets European record in high jump, wins gold

Ukrainian athlete Yaroslava Mahuchikh, 19, has set a new high jump record at the 2021 European Athletics U23 (under the age of 23) Championships on July 10 in Tallinn, Estonia.

Mahuchikh’s 2-meter jump won her a golden metal and broke the previous record of 1.98 meters, set by Russian athlete Svetlana Lapina in 1999.

Mahuchikh has also made history by becoming the first athlete to have won individual titles in all age groups, according to the press statement by the European Athletic Association. Prior to her recent victory, Mahuchikh won similar titles in the U18 (under the age of 18) and U20 (under the age of 20) groups in 2018 and 2019.

Mahuchikh didn’t plan to participate in the European contest as it fell for the time of her preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games but eventually changed her mind.

“It was a good and nice evening at the stadium – all heights with the first attempt,” Mahuchikh said, according to the European Athletics.

The athlete will head to compete at the Olympic Games, scheduled to be held on July 23 – August 8 in Tokyo, Japan. And she is determined to keep upping her game.

“In Tokyo, I want to jump more than 2.05 meters, 2.07 meters,” Mahuchikh said. “I want to jump the world record.”