European Athletics – (EA) – The Golden Girl is back as Isinbayeva sends Moscow into rapture

Yelena Isinbayeva was the toast of Russia in Moscow on Tuesday night when she turned back the clock to win World Championship pole vault gold.

Just as it seemed her career might not take her to the top of the podium again, the world record-holder defied all the doubters.

Third at the Olympic Games last year and without a major title since 2008, she is now world champion for the third time, the last being in Osaka in 2007.

It was always going to be some competition and so it proved.

Isinbayeva entered at 4.65m which she failed first time but went over second before she moved into the lead, all be it briefly, as 4.75m was achieved without a problem.

But American Jennifer Suhr did the same with her next vault.

She was now in front and the pattern was repeated at 4.82m, which the Russian cleared at the second time, stretching both arms as far as she could in celebration, but within an instant Suhr was in the gold medal position again on countback as she sailed over.

But then Cuba's Yarisley Silva joined Suhr and Isinbayeva as she cleared 4.82m at the third go to keep the drama rolling on.

With perfect time, Isinbayeva found the magic of old as she went over first time at 4.89m.

The Luzhniki Stadium reached new noise levels as once more she raised her arms in delight – to go with the huge smile beaming across her face.

Isinbayeva was so close to glory and the pressure grew on Suhr who knocked off the bar.
Not surprisingly Isinbayeva could not even watch.

She lay on her back, cap covering her eyes, as Silva took to the runway and also failed to make it over.

They both then failed at the second time and when Suhr's bid ended when she was unable to go over at the third time, now one effort stood between Isinbayeva and gold.

Silva waited, called on the Russian crowd to clap, which they did, but soon they were in ecstasy as the Cuban knocked the bar off and Isinbayeva was world champion again.

The Russian danced around in delight, instantly dashing into the stands to celebrate with her coach – as photographers surrounded her.

Then, just for good measure, she raised the bar to a new world record height of 5.07m, thought it was not to be as she missed out with all three vaults.

But it did not matter one bit.

What a night for Russia, and what a return for Isinbayeva.

 

European Athletics – (EA)