Mahuchikh Opens Indoor Season with 1.94m Victory in Udine
Olympic, world, and European high jump champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh kicked off her indoor season in style, securing victory at the Udin Jump Development indoor high jump meeting at the Pala Ovidio Bernes in Udine with a clearance of 1.94m.
The reigning world record holder soared over 1.91m and 1.94m on her first attempts, sealing the win with authority. However, she fell short in her three attempts at 1.98m. This marked Mahuchikh’s second appearance at the Udine event, four years after her 2.00m victory in 2021.
“Udine is a small but very nice city. I was happy to start my season here after training in Spain and Estonia. There was a great atmosphere. In the future, I’d love to organize a high jump meeting in Ukraine. I took a long rest after the Olympic Games,” said Mahuchikh.
Seventeen-year-old Lilianna Batori of Hungary cleared 1.91m on her third attempt, earning second place. Italian outdoor champion Idea Pieroni secured third with a clearance of 1.88m on her second attempt. She then made three unsuccessful attempts at 1.91m, which would have matched her recent indoor personal best set in Padua on January 4.
Ivanov Triumphs in Men's High Jump After Thrilling Jump-Off
In the men’s competition, Tihomir Ivanov emerged victorious after an intense battle with Italian rising star Matteo Sioli in a jump-off. Both athletes maintained a perfect record up to 2.22m and then successfully cleared 2.25m on their third attempts. However, neither could surpass 2.28m after three tries.
The decisive moment came in the jump-off, where both failed 2.28m and 2.26m, before Ivanov cleared 2.24m, clinching the win. Yonathan Kapitolnik rounded out the podium with a 2.22m clearance.
For Sioli, the result equaled his recent personal best of 2.25m, set in Parma last December. The 19-year-old Italian continues to make waves, having claimed the world U20 silver medal in Lima last August with a jump of 2.23m.
A Legacy Honoring Alessandro Talotti
The Udin Jump Development meeting was established seven years ago by the late high jumper Alessandro Talotti and his coach Mario Gasparetto. The event remains a tribute to Talotti, who sadly passed away in 2022.
As in past editions, legendary high jumper and world record holder Javier Sotomayor was a special guest, continuing to lend his presence and prestige to the competition.
