On June 26, the women's high jump winner had to be determined by the number of attempts – a key detail from the opening day of the Kazakhstan Athletics Cup held at the Olympic Training Centre stadium in Almaty Region.
The highlight of the event was the head-to-head between 19-year-old Faina Meirmanova and seasoned athlete Nadezhda Dubovitskaya – the 2022 World Indoor Championships bronze medallist. Meirmanova is the 2024 Asian Junior Championships silver medallist from Dubai.
These two jumpers were the main contenders for the top spot. Dubovitskaya opened her competition at 1.75 metres, clearing it on her first attempt. She then successfully cleared 1.80 on her first try as well.
As for Meirmanova, it seems her coach opted for a more cautious approach. Before attempting 1.75, she cleared 1.60, 1.65, and 1.70 – all on her first attempts. These early jumps may have impacted her rhythm or emotional focus, as her subsequent performance was less seamless. She managed to clear both 1.75 and 1.80 on her second attempts. Notably, 1.80 equals her personal best.
The height of 1.84 metres remained unconquered – both Dubovitskaya and Meirmanova failed all three attempts. As a result, Dubovitskaya claimed the Kazakhstan Cup title, having cleared the previous heights with fewer attempts. Meirmanova took second place. The bronze went to Alina Chistyakova from Karaganda Region – who specialises in the heptathlon – with a height of 1.75.
Only four of the five registered athletes competed – notably absent was East Kazakhstan’s Yelizaveta Matveyeva, the silver medallist at the last two Asian Championships.
June 26, 2025 – Kazakhstan Cup in Athletics – Women’s High Jump
- Nadezhda Dubovitskaya (East Kazakhstan Region) – 1.80
- Faina Meirmanova (East Kazakhstan Region) – 1.80
- Alina Chistyakova (Karaganda Region) – 1.75
In the photo: Faina Meirmanova.
