Rogowska defeats world champ Isinbayeva to clinch Pole vault gold

Updated on: 18 August,2009 07:14 AM IST |
AFP |

Rogowska defeats world champ Isinbayeva to clinch Pole vault gold

Rogowska defeats world champ Isinbayeva to clinch Pole vault gold

Isinbayeva, the double Olympic champion and world record holder, was a shadow of her usual self in her bid to win a third consecutive world title as she failed at 4.75m and then twice at 4.80m to finish out of the medals.

The 27-year-old, who set the world record of 5.05m at the Beijing Olympic Games on her way to the gold last year, slumped with her head in her hands after her third failure, while her Polish conqueror failed to contain her joy.

"I have no proper explanation for what happened today," said the Russian.

"Everything was perfect, I was confident and I cleared 4.70m during the warm-up.

"When I was lying on the ground and concentrating, I imagined my victory and not defeat. "Something like this happened nine years ago. I did not expect it. I hope I will recover from this."

Rogowska for her part could scarcely believe it either. She said: "If somebody told me this morning that I would win the gold medal, I would have just smiled.

"Everybody was so surprised when Isinbayeva hit the bar. I still do not believe I won. Maybe tomorrow I will realise it.

"Who would have believed Yelena would not get a medal? She is the only woman in the world to have jumped over five metres.

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