Maguchikh: I am very happy because I went to the World Championships for a gold medal

Ukrainian athlete Yaroslav Maguchy commented on the victory 2023 World Championships in Athletics in the high jump sector.

“When I realized that I have a gold medal, I was happy. Of course, I went to this championship for a gold medal, because this is my third world championship. And plus, Oleksandr Usyk won last night – I thought that I should also win.”

“And this is really a great reward for our Ukraine. First gold [в женских прыжках в высоту] for 24 years. I am very happy. And it motivates to work further to improve results. And in general, so that we have more awards at the World Championships, European Championships. I really want to see this. And I think we will definitely see it again.”

“I was determined to take everything on the first try. Of course, I knew that I could jump 1.94m on the first try. Of course, there are such moments. I took 2.01 m on the second attempt, although it was also possible on the first. Perhaps, if I had not wasted energy, I could have jumped 2.07 m. But there are still a few starts left to work out. And then we will work again and prepare for the new season.”

“Why did I jump 2.07 m? This is a lot – from 2.01 m to 2.10 m to raise the bar by 9 centimeters at once. So we climbed up to 2.07m to try. I think the first two attempts were good. Psychologically, it is clear that I am ready, so we will continue to train. As they say, I’m still young, but not young anymore.

“I have the emotional and physical strength to jump 2.10 m. Last year I tried 2.10m in Brussels. Of course, I really want to set a new record and a new world record. We go, this is the goal. I think, as for every athlete, medals in competitions are valuable, as are world records.”

“This award is valid for all our people. And it is obligatory for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which protect us, thanks to this we have the opportunity to compete. Glory to Ukraine!”

For the first time in her career, a Ukrainian woman managed to get the highest award of the world championship. In the high jump sector, she overcame the mark of 2.01 meters on the second attempt, which none of her rivals could do.

Thanks to the performance of Maguchy, Ukraine got the maximum high jump quota for the Olympic Games in Paris. The license that Yaroslava received for fulfilling the Olympic standard (1.97 m) became the third one for our country. Recall that back in July, the required standard was met by Irina Gerashchenko and Yulia Levchenko.