by Larry EderDefenders had it rough tonight.
Anna Chicherova of Russia had nearly flawless high jumping. Chicherova cleared 1.89m, 1.93m, 1.97m, 2.00m, and 2.03 with a miss. At 2.05, she missed three times. By that time, Chicherova was at least winning the silver medal.
Blanka Vlasic cleared 1.89m, 1.93m, and 1.97m on her first attempts. Then, it took two to clear 2.00m and two to clear 2.03m. By this time, Chicherova had to miss at 2.05m and Vlasic had to clear 2.05m to take gold. When Vlasic missed three times at 2.05m. And Chicherova took the gold.
Antoinetta Di Martino of Italy, the 2011 European Indoor Champion, cleared 1.89m, 1.93m, 1.97m without a miss, and then took three to clear 2.00m and missed all three at 2.03m. Di Martino took the bronze.
In fourth, Elena Slearenko of Russia had a seasonal best at 1.97m. Svetlana Shkolina of Russia also cleared 1.97m, but took three times to do that, hence fifth place. Zheng Xingjuan of China and Deidre Ryan of Irelandtied for sixth, with 1.93m.
Bridgett Barrett of the US took tenth, also at 1.93m.
