Ukrainian Yaroslava Mahuchikh named best athlete of year
Ukrainian field athlete Yaroslava Mahuchikh (photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian Yaroslava Mahuchikh was recognized as the best athlete of the year by World Athletics. The award was given in the category of female athletes competing in non-running disciplines.
Yaroslava's rival in the final among non-running athletes was Belgian all-arounder Nafisatou Thiam.
Mahuchikh competes in the high jump.
Photo: Yaroslava Mahuchikh is recognized as the Athlete of the Year (x.com/WorldAthletics)
According to the NOC of Ukraine, this year was a special one for Mahuchikh:
- became an Olympic champion
- set a world record in the high jump (2.10 m)
- became the European champion
- won the Diamond League final.
In October, Mahuchikh won the title of the best athlete of the year in Europe. In previous years, she reached the final of the nomination.
Before that, the International Federation of Athletics officially ratified Mahuchikh's world record. It was set back on July 7 at the Diamond League in Paris. The Ukrainian conquered the height of 2.10 meters on her first attempt. The previous record stood since 1987 when Stefka Kostadinova from Bulgaria jumped 2.09 meters.
