Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahochich won the high jump competition on Friday at the 45th edition of Memorial Van Damme. Two-time Olympic champion Navi Thiam, who has recovered from neck complaints, finished sixth.
Mahuchikh triumphed at King Baudouin’s Brussels Stadium by a jump of over 2m02. She beat world and Olympic champion Maria Lasitskene. The Russian, who has already won three times on the anniversary, crossed 2m00. On 2m02, an error occurred, after which her attempt on 2m04 failed as well. Australian Nicola McDermott, who triumphed at the Anniversary last year, finished third. It was also around 2m00.
Nafeh Thiam jumped 1m92 to finish sixth. This equates to her best season. Its best is 2m02.
At Sporza, she showed herself tired but satisfied with the support she has received from the Belgian public today. “It’s great to see so many people. I had a great time high jumping today, even though I was really tired. I even lost my voice (laughs).”
The high jump competition was very busy at the memorial. Russia’s Maria Lasitskene, Australia’s Nicola McDermott, Yaroslava Mahochich and Irina Hirashchenko of Ukraine and Eleanor Patterson, also of Australia, were all in the top five at the past Olympics.
