Having To Flee From Ukraine, Beautiful Athlete Yaroslava Mahuchikh Successfully Won A Gold Medal At The World Championship

Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh. (Photo: Instagram @rosya_dp)

JAKARTA - High jump athlete, Yaroslava Mahuchikh, is among the millions of people in Ukraine who were forced to flee due to the Russian invasion. Yaroslava had to leave his country in the midst of preparations for the World Indoor Championships.

She had to travel three days by car when he left his country. However, the 20-year-old athlete was still able to create achievements.

Yaroslava won the gold medal in the high jump at the World Indoor Championships in Belgard, Serbia, last Saturday, March 19. A very important win for her.

"This is very important for me and my family, my country," Yaroslava told BBC Sport.

She said she could not focus on training after the Russian invasion began on February 24. Even during the championship, she still thinks about her country.

"For me, coming here was difficult. Jumping here was also very difficult psychologically because my heart remains in my country," she said.

Yaroslava claimed the gold medal after jumping from a height of 202 cm. The crowd cheered as she celebrated with the Ukrainian flag wrapped around her neck.

"I think this is difficult, but I have done very well for my country. I think this is an important thing for my country," she said.

In this event, Mariya Lasitskene and several other Russian athletes were banned from participating due to sanctions due to President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine.