World high jump record-holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh from Ukraine will target a historic fifth victory at the Tipos Banskobystricka latka, a World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver meeting, on 24 February.
Mahuchikh cleared 2.01m for her fourth victory last year, equalling the record for most victories at this meeting shared by Sweden’s Stefan Holm and Russia’s Mariya Lasitskene. However, Mahuchikh has a chance to seize this record outright with a fifth victory next month.
The Banskobystricka latka will be streamed live on the European Athletics YouTube channel with more streaming details to be announced later this week.
The Ukrainian, who holds the meeting record with a 2.06m clearance from 2021, will have to overcome a strong field to claim her fifth title, including Australia’s 2022 world champion Eleanor Patterson and world bronze medallist Angelina Topic from Serbia, the winners in Banska Bystrica in 2022 and 2024 respectively.
The women’s line-up also features British record-holder Morgan Lake, European indoor bronze medallist Engla Nilsson from Sweden, fellow world outdoor finalists Elena Kulichenko from Cyprus, Belgium’s Merel Maes and Imke Onnen from Germany and reigning European U20 champion Lilianna Batori from Hungary.
Woo v Stefela in the men's high jump
In the men’s high jump, South Korea’s Sang-Hyeok Woo will be aiming for his fourth victory in Banska Bystrica since 2022.
The world silver medallist will face a strong field including world bronze medallist Jan Stefela from Czechia who will be in contention to become the first European winner of the men’s competition since Gianmarco Tamberi in 2021 as well as following in the footsteps of his coach Jaroslav Baba who won this meeting in 2005.
There will be a strong Italian presence in the men’s event with Marco Fassinotti and European indoor bronze medallist Matteo Sioli also both due to compete in Banska Bystrica along with Cuba’s Luis Enrique Zayas and veteran 2007 world champion Donald Thomas from the Bahamas.
The meeting records at the Banskobystricka latka are held by Yaroslava Mahuchikh at 2.06m from 2021 and by Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim at 2.40m from 2015.
The Banskobystricka latka will be part of the 'What Gravity Tour' series in 2026 which was founded by Barshim. In addition to his meeting in Doha, the series also includes a meeting in Heilbronn, Germany.