by Alfonz Juck
Sylwester Bednarek, photo by PhotoRun.net
Derek Drouin, photo by PhotoRun.net
A tie for Bednarek and Drouin with 233 WL
BANSKA BYSTRICA (SVK, Feb 8): Two athletes cleared 233 in second attempt and tried at 235. That was the higlight of 23rd High Jump meeting with music in central Slovakia. Poland´s 2009 World medalist Sylwester Bednarek (overall PB for him) and Olympic winner Derek Drouin cleared 233 World lead but not the 235. In the jump-off they both tried once again at 235 and then agreed for a tie. “I was tired and after a personal best I was so happy,” said Bednarek. Drouin was also satisfied: “It was my first competition of the year and I managed well so all is ok.” It happened for first time in the meet that there was a tie for first place. Third Belarus Pavel Seliverstau improved his PB to 231 and veteran Donald Thomas also went over 231 as fourth. Thomas was brave after two fouls at 233 tried once at 235 with support of the enthusiastic public of 900 people. Another top moment was the improvement of Slovak Lukas Beer to 228 and good tries at 231 as he ended fifth in most probably best line-up of the indoor season in men high jump. Mexican Edgar Rivera as 6th, US Erik Kynard as 7th and Bulgarian Tihomir Ivanov as 8th (indoor PB) also managed 228 in great depth of the competition. Surprise women winner was Iryna Herashchenko from Ukraine with second attempt clearance at 193. In total 8 other jumpers failed at 193 after they went over 189. Best by count back was another Ukrainian Yulia Levchenko with Olympic winner Ruth Beitia third, both 189. Fourth in a tie Canadian Alyx Treasure indoor PB 189 and Sweden´s Sofie Skoog season best 189.
