IT WASN’T the grand finale everyone had hoped for with the meet organizers bringing together the four Paris medalists, but Ukraine’s queen of the event Yaroslava Mahuchikh did just enough to finish her outdoor season unbeaten.
A first-time clearance at 6-5½ (1.97) secured Mahuchikh victory over her regular rival Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers, the last woman to inflict a defeat on the ’24 OG winner when she beat her to the world indoor title in March.
Mahuchikh had a perfect record up to 6-5½ — which saw her nudge the bar with her ankles causing a slight wobble — while Olyslagers needed 2nd attempts at both 6-4¾ (1.95) and 6-5½.
With both women passing 6-6¼ (1.99) and then failing three times at 6-7 (2.01), that was the competition done.
“Finally, the season is over. I’m exhausted. But I have my diamond [for the third consecutive year] and it was important for me and my country that I won today so that I can take my diamond back to Ukraine,” said Mahuchikh.
Behind the leading pair, it was a rather lackluster competition in cool conditions with joint Olympic bronze medalists Iryna Gerashchenko and Eleanor Patterson 3rd and 4th respectively at 6-3½ (1.92) and 6-2 (1.88).
Results
1. Yaroslava Mahuchikh (Ukr) 6-5½ (1.97); 2. Nicola Olyslagers (Aus) 6-5½; 3. Iryna Gerashchenko (Ukr) 6-3½ (1.92); 4. Eleanor Patterson (Aus) 6-2 (1.88); 5. Angelina Topić (Srb) 6-2 (1.88); 6. Lia Apostolovski (Slo) 6-2 (1.88).