Kazakhstan’s high jumper Kristina Ovchinnikova continued her European tour with a performance at the international “Int. Sparkassenmeeting” in Osterode, Germany, held on June 27. This was the 15th edition of the traditional competition, part of the World Athletics Continental Tour (category D), and took place in the state of Lower Saxony.
Six athletes competed in the women’s high jump, including four from Germany, Fatoumata Balley from Guinea, and Kazakhstan’s Kristina Ovchinnikova.
Ovchinnikova and Balley were clearly a level above the rest, entering the competition only after the other jumpers had already been eliminated. Ovchinnikova cleared 1.74 on her first attempt, then made 1.77 on her second. She followed with a first-time clearance at 1.80 and managed to get over 1.83 on her third try.
However, neither she nor Balley succeeded at 1.86. Since Balley had cleared 1.83 on her first attempt, while Ovchinnikova needed three, the Guinean athlete took the victory. Ovchinnikova finished second, also with a mark of 1.83.
Fatoumata Balley currently holds one of the top marks among African high jumpers this year, having set a personal best of 1.90 metres in late May. Ovchinnikova matched that same height on June 1 at a competition in Greece and currently ranks second this season among Asian high jumpers.
Following her Greek performance, Ovchinnikova has competed in Germany (June 8 – 1.80), Poland (June 22 – 1.85), and now Osterode (1.83). In May, she also appeared twice in Germany (1.80 and 1.86) and once in Cyprus (1.85).
