Marija Vuković continues to push her own limits - the Montenegrin athlete improved her personal and national indoor record at a strong meeting in Banska Bistrica, with a jump of 196 centimeters.
That's just a centimeter short of her career best, the same height she cleared in the final of the Tokyo Olympics.
After jumping 195 centimeters ten days ago in the Czech Republic, Marija was even better today in Slovakia in fierce competition, with six other girls who were in the Tokyo final.
And she surpassed four of them, including the champion Maria Lasickene, who stood at 193 centimeters.
Vuković jumped the first two heights easily, then she broke once at 190 and 193 centimeters, and on her second attempt she also managed 196, with characteristic celebrations and hugs from her rivals.
In addition to her, the Ukrainian Jaroslava Mahučki (bronze from Tokyo) and the Australian Eleonor Patterson (fifth in Tokyo) remained in the competition.
After two unsuccessful jumps, Marija almost jumped 199 - she hooked the scale with her heels, but it is clear that she has the height in her legs.
Patterson skipped 199, Mahučki remained at 196, so Vuković ended up taking third place at the meeting.
In four days, on February 19, they will compete at a meeting in Birmingham, and the last test before the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade (March 19-21) will be at the Balkan Championship on March 5.
Bonus video:
