World Championships Day 5 Review: Gold for Eleanor Patterson in the high jump

20 July 2022

World Championships Day 5 Review: Gold for Eleanor Patterson in the high jump

On day five of the world championships, NSW had two strong hopes in the high jump, but gold for Eleanor Patterson was beyond expectations over the favourite and sentimental choice Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh. 
Eleanor, the World Indoor silver medallist and Nicola Olyslagers the Tokyo Olympic silver medallist, would lead NSW’s charge in the women’s high jump. 

Deep into the competition it looked like Eleanor would place fourth and miss the podium, but she rallied at 2.02m to take the gold.
“I knew I could bring a big performance,” said Eleanor. “I have not competed much, but to come here tonight, seeing all these phenomenal athletes doing so well, I am just so humbled. I just could not believe I am the champion.”

This is how the competition unfolded.
Both Eleanor and Nicola had clean records up to 1.96m which put them in the top-5. But for Nicola, 1.98m would be too high and she had to settle for equal fifth place.
Eleanor too was struggling at 1.98m, requiring three attempts. She then cleared an outdoor PB of 2.00m on her second attempt and was firmly in fourth place.
But then she miraculously cleared 2.02m – on her first attempt. Favourite Mahuchikh, had missed on her first attempt. Eleanor was now in the lead, but Mahuchikh responded clearing 2.02m on her second attempt. When no athletes were able to clear 2.04m, Eleanor took a surprise gold medal.
She equalled Nicola’s Australian record and became Australia’s 10th world champion. 
She won Australia’s first women’s global senior high jump gold, only she has herself won at a junior level, when in 2014 she won the World Youth Championships gold medal. She is now equal number two Commonwealth all-time.

Earlier in the evening session, Wollongong’s Sarah Carli cruised into the 400m hurdles semis after placing third in her heat in 55.89. Her leadup form had been excellent, after her accident effected Tokyo Olympic campaign where she was run out in the heats. She next races Thursday morning Australian time.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Image: Eleanor Patterson (image courtesy of Athletics Australia)