by Alfonz Juck
The What Gravity Challenge is an unique series promoting the high jump. It is a homage to the event, created by Mutaz Essa Barshim, and will have a second event this year on August 9 in Germany. The price purse is $155,000 US and 8 top male and female highjumpers (first year for Women) was distributed.
To learn more, please read this piece on the event by our senior writer for Nigeria, Deji Ogeyingbo.
Mahuchikh 202 WL, Woo 229
DOHA (QAT, May 9): Olympic winner Yaroslava Mahuchikh highlighted the 2nd edition of special high jump meet What Gravity Challenge (WACT Silver) as she cleared in first attempt 202 WL and tried at 205. She was the winner already after clearing previous 198 and 200, both in first attempts. In the Katara auditorium second Eleanor Patterson and third Maria Zodzik, both 196 (Polish jumper equaled her outdoor PB). Four more jumpers cleared 194 in good depth, Yulia Levchenko, Morgan Lake, Michaela Hruba (best jump since 2019) and Charity Hufnagel from USA (equaled her PB). In the men competition at the beginning organiser and main star Mutaz Essa Barshim confirmed that he would not be able to jump after small injury from training. World Indoor champion Woo Sang Hyeok as only one cleared 229 in third attempt and tried with quality jumps at 233. Behind him Olympic fifth placer Ryoichi Akamatsu 226 (in second) and Jamaican World indoor medalist Raymond Richards 226 (in third). Olympic winner Hamish Kerr did not had his day with only 220 and 10th position in 11 jumpers field.
