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Australia's Olyslagers Claims World Championship Title

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Nicola Olyslagers
Olyslagers wins Gold in Thrilling High Jump



Nicola Olyslagers wins gold in the women's high jump at the World Athletics Championships, overcoming challenging weather conditions to take the top spot.


“In Paris (at the Olympics) I didn't get a chance to show what I can do, I promised myself this time...”



Nicola Olyslagers made history on Sunday, securing Australia's only gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The 29-year-old high jumper, a two-time Olympic silver medalist, demonstrated exceptional skill and composure under pressure, clearing 2.00 meters with ease. Her flawless performance earned her the top spot, with Poland's Maria Zodzik taking silver after clearing the same height on her third attempt.


The competition was delayed twice due to heavy rain showers, testing the athletes' nerves and patience. Despite the challenging conditions, Olyslagers remained focused, attributing her success to her faith and mental toughness. “It wasn't a holiday; it was more of a battleground,” she said, reflecting on the intense atmosphere. Olyslagers' gold medal caps a remarkable year, following her wins at the World Indoor Championships and the Diamond League.


Olyslagers' victory marks a significant milestone in her career, cementing her position as a world-class high jumper. With this gold medal, she joins an elite group of athletes who have achieved both indoor and outdoor world titles. Her dedication and perseverance have paid off, inspiring fans and fellow athletes alike.


The Australian athlete's win also highlights the country's continued prominence in high jump, following Eleanor Patterson's world title in 2022. Olyslagers' performance showcases her technical consistency and indomitable spirit, solidifying her reputation as one of the world's top high jumpers.




Yaroslava Mahuchikh, Ukraine's Olympic champion and world record holder, had a minor setback early on, failing once before torrential rain interrupted the competition. The athletes had to wait for about an hour to resume, trying to keep warm during the delay. When the competition resumed, Mahuchikh passed at 2 meters but couldn't clear 2.02 meters, despite two attempts.


Competition Results:

  • Gold Medal: Nicola Olyslagers from Australia secured the top spot with a jump of 2.00 meters, marking Australia's first championship win. Her strong faith played a significant role in her performance, helping her stay focused during the challenging weather conditions.
  • Silver Medal: Maria Zodzik from Poland took the silver medal, achieving a lifetime best by clearing 2.00 meters at her third attempt.
  • Bronze Medal: Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Angelina Topic shared the bronze medal, both clearing 1.97 meters. Mahuchikh's world record and Olympic champion title didn't secure her a higher position, but she still ended up on the podium.



Nicola Olyslagers credited her strong religious faith for helping her navigate the challenging weather conditions during the high jump competition. As she reflected on her experience, she shared, “I have this light inside of me that even when it's pouring down rain, this love is like a burning fire inside of me.” This inner strength and positivity likely played a significant role in her ability to stay focused and deliver a winning performance despite the adversity.


“So even if I had to wait hours in between attempts, I could just look and just go, wow, this is for you, God, let's do this.


“So, tonight, coming back away as a world champion is wonderful, but I think what I'm taking from this even more is that when you have that love in your heart - without passion, high jump is just moving limbs over a bar - it's really nothing.”




Topic said: “This is the toughest three hours I had to survive my whole life.


“In Paris (at the Olympics) I didn't get a chance to show what I can do, I promised myself this time I would give everything I have in my body to try to win this.


“It was very stressful. I cleared all my heights on the first attempt then it started raining like crazy. I still was ready for more, but unfortunately I was not able to clear my personal best at this time, during this rain.


“I was just landed next to (Australian) Eleanor Patterson. I was crying like a baby, I don't think I would have survived this without her. I love her and thanks to her I was OK.”


Yaroslava Mahuchikh's bronze medal in the high jump brought the total number of countries winning medals to 50, accounting for about a quarter of the participating nations. With the men's discus throw event still pending and delayed due to rain, the medal tally might see further changes. Mahuchikh shared the bronze medal with Serbia's Angelina Topic, both clearing 1.97 meters, while Australia's Nicola Olyslagers took gold and Poland's Maria Zodzik secured silver with 2-meter jumps




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