Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers successfully defended her world indoor high jump title, beating Ukraine’s Olympic champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing on March 23, 2025. Olyslagers, who made her season debut, cleared 1.97 meters to take the gold, while Mahuchikh, the reigning world and European champion, settled for bronze with a jump of 1.95 meters. Olyslagers’ victory marks the second consecutive year she has defeated Mahuchikh at the event, having also claimed the title in 2024.
Olyslagers’ Dominance Continues
Nicola Olyslagers put on a stellar performance, dominating the women’s high jump at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing. Her gold-medal jump of 1.97 meters was enough to secure victory, despite strong competition from Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh and her Australian teammate Eleanor Patterson. Olyslagers, who has now retained her title for the second year in a row, displayed impressive form throughout the competition.
Patterson, the 2022 world champion and world indoor silver medalist, also performed well, securing silver on countback after clearing the same height as Mahuchikh. The competition saw a strong field, with athletes from various countries vying for the top spots. However, it was Olyslagers who proved to be the most consistent, pushing through the challenges posed by her rivals.
A Tough Day for Mahuchikh
Yaroslava Mahuchikh, the reigning Olympic, world, and European champion, was the clear favorite heading into the event, having been the only athlete this season to clear 2.00 meters. However, Mahuchikh’s performance in Nanjing was not as dominant as expected. She skipped the opening mark of 1.85 meters before clearing 1.89 meters, but struggled with the higher bars.
At 1.92 meters, both Olyslagers and Patterson cleared the height, while Mahuchikh opted out, signaling a shift in the competition’s dynamics. When the bar was raised to 1.95 meters, Mahuchikh cleared it without issue, but both she and her teammate, Kateryna Tabashnyk, faced difficulty when the bar was raised further. Mahuchikh failed to clear 1.97 meters, leaving her with the bronze medal.
Patterson’s Close Call
Eleanor Patterson, a strong contender and Olyslagers’ teammate, was in the mix for the gold throughout the event. Patterson’s performance, however, was marred by a missed attempt at 1.92 meters. Despite this, she managed to clear the 1.97-meter bar along with Olyslagers, setting up an all-Australian showdown for the gold.
Unfortunately for Patterson, her earlier mistake cost her the title, as Olyslagers went on to win the competition. Patterson’s silver medal was a commendable achievement, though, especially given the fierce competition from Mahuchikh and other athletes.
Other Notable Performances
In addition to the high jump competition, the women’s long jump final also took place, where American athlete Claire Bryant claimed the gold. Bryant’s best jump of 6.96 meters on her fifth attempt secured the victory, with Switzerland’s Annik Kalin taking silver at 6.83 meters. Spain’s Fatima Diame rounded out the podium with a jump of 6.72 meters, marking her second world indoor bronze after a similar result in Glasgow the previous year.
The 2025 World Indoor Championships in Nanjing showcased outstanding athletic performances, with Olyslagers and Patterson’s strong showing in the high jump standing out. Olyslagers’ retention of her title solidifies her position as one of the top high jumpers in the world, while Patterson’s silver medal adds to her impressive career achievements. For Mahuchikh, the bronze was a tough outcome, but her resilience remains clear, especially as she prepares for future competitions. The event was a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the intense competition athletes face on the global stage.
