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World record holder Isinbayeva to start winter season in Donetsk

DONETSK: Olympic champion in women’s pole vault and current world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia will start her winter season at the annual tournament at Donetsk on Saturday.

Last year the 25-year-old won the pole vault tournament for the fourth consecutive time setting also a new indoor world record after clearing the mark of four metres 93 centimetres. “It’s a good tradition for me to take start into the new season in Donetsk,â€

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Isinbayeva debuts at European Athletic Permit Meeting in Donyetsk
15 February 2008

The unbeatable Isinbayeva makes her indoor debut
in Donyetsk this weekend.
World Indoor and Outdoor Pole Vault Champion and record holder, Yelena Isinbayeva, is in a good mood before her season opening at the European Athletics permitted 'Zepter Pole Vault Stars' Meet in Donyetsk (UKR).

This event has fond memories for Isinbayeva, not just because it is organised by the undisputed King of the Pole Vault, Sergey Bubka, but also because she has broken no less than four World records at the Zepter Meeting in Donyetsk.

The incredible Russian Vaulter has spent some time in the Ukraine, training and acclimatising to prepare for her usual jumping spectacle on Saturday in the Donyetsk Ice-Hall.

"The event has been sold out for quite a while now, everybody wants to come!" said a satisfied Bubka before the competition.

Isinbayeva is undoubtedly the star attraction. The 25-year-old has nearly achieved a World record for each year of her life, if she manages to clear over 4.93m she will bring her total to 21 World records (10 indoors an 11 outdoors). She will also find herself $50,000 USD richer thanks to the World Record bonus announced by Bubka this week.

Isinbayeva can boast an indoor winning streak of 14 competitions since the World Indoor Championships in 2004 in Budapest. Her last indoor loss was in the Athens Meet on Feb 22 in 2004 where she jumped 4.50m while Svetlana Feofanova cleared 4.85m.

Although generally regarded as being in a class of her own, Isinbayeva could face competition from the current World leader, Yelena Golubchikova (RUS) who has already cleared 4.75m this year and appears to be in fighting form. Also making it on to the start list are Poland's top duo Monika Pyrek and Anna Rogowska, German record holder Carolin Hingst and South American record holder Fabiana Murer of Brazil.

In the men's competition the main names are current World leader and Russian Champion, Yevgeniy Lukyanenko (5.85m), currently best US jumper Derek Miles (5.80m) and European Champion Aleksandr Averbukh of Israel. Also in the field, is Olympic medallist Toby Stevenson (USA) and home jumpers Denis Yurchenko and Maksim Mazuryk who already achieved 5.70m and 5.75m this year.