Croatia's Vlasic extends high jump winning streak

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

MADRID (AFP) — Croatia's world champion Blanka Vlasic notched up her 31st consecutive win when she claimed the high jump title at the Madrid athletics meeting Saturday with a leap of 2.06 meters, just one centimeter off her personal best.

She failed at an attempt at 2.10 metres, which would have seen her break the world record of 2.09 by Bulgaria's Stefka Kostadinova.

Her arch-rival and reigning Olympic champion Yelena Slesarenko was third with a jump of 2.01 metres, behind Spain's Ruth Beitia Vila.

Despite the impressive win the world indoor and outdoor champion said she didn't feel well during the competition.

"I expected to jump over 2.03 metres at least but as I'm a very competitive athlete I had to jump higher," she said.

"Sometimes it's...