Bergqvist jumps for gold
Sweden's Kajsa Bergqvist won the women's high jump title at the world athletics championships in Helsinki on Monday.
The 28-year-old jumped a world leading height for the season of 2.02 metres to take the title while America's Chaunte Howard won silver with a personal best of 2.00m.
The victory capped a remarkable comeback for Bergqvist, who just over a year ago suffered an injury which put her career in doubt.
In June 2004, with the expectation of a gold medal at the Olympics in Athens on her shoulders, she snapped her achilles tendon. She did not compete again until May 29th this year.
"I have had a lot of injuries and there were times when I thought I would never jump again," said Bergqvist.
"But I was jumping again in the spring and I have got better and better."
Winning the gold at the world championships fills a gap in an otherwise packed medal drawer. Bergqvist has won gold twice at the world indoor championships and twice in European championships, silver at the European indoor championships and bronze at the 2000 Olympics as well as at two world championships.
"This is my 10th outdoor championships and it's been my dream all my life to win the world title," said Bergqvist.
"I was tense, nervous and incredibly focused throughout the whole competition," she added.
Another Swede, Emma Green, took bronze with 1.96m, also a personal best.
The Local/AFP
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The 28-year-old jumped a world leading height for the season of 2.02 metres to take the title while America's Chaunte Howard won silver with a personal best of 2.00m.
The victory capped a remarkable comeback for Bergqvist, who just over a year ago suffered an injury which put her career in doubt.
In June 2004, with the expectation of a gold medal at the Olympics in Athens on her shoulders, she snapped her achilles tendon. She did not compete again until May 29th this year.
"I have had a lot of injuries and there were times when I thought I would never jump again," said Bergqvist.
"But I was jumping again in the spring and I have got better and better."
Winning the gold at the world championships fills a gap in an otherwise packed medal drawer. Bergqvist has won gold twice at the world indoor championships and twice in European championships, silver at the European indoor championships and bronze at the 2000 Olympics as well as at two world championships.
"This is my 10th outdoor championships and it's been my dream all my life to win the world title," said Bergqvist.
"I was tense, nervous and incredibly focused throughout the whole competition," she added.
Another Swede, Emma Green, took bronze with 1.96m, also a personal best.
The Local/AFP
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