Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh won high jump gold at the world indoor championships after driving for three days from her war-torn country to compete.

The 20-year-old set a world-leading clearance of 2.02 metres to claim the title in Belgrade on Saturday.

She was in third having cleared 2.00m before posting her winning jump with her first attempt at the height.

“It was very important for me, my family, my country,” Mahuchikh said.

“I don’t think about competition, training. For me, coming here was difficult – three days by car – and to jump here was so difficult psychologically because my heart remains in my country.

“It’s so difficult but I think I’ve done very well for my country because I protect my country on the track. I think it’s a very important thing for my country.”

Mahuchikh had looked to be set for the bronze medal but she then made 2.00m with her third attempt at the height.

She then produced a first-time clearance at 2.02m to strike gold, her first big title after outdoor world championships silver in 2019 and Olympic bronze last year.

Australia’s Eleanor Patterson won silver and Kazakhstan’s Nadezhda Dubovitskaya took bronze.

(dpa/NAN)