STOP PRESS: Qualified - Eleanor Patterson has qualified for the final on Monday morning (our time) with her jump of 192m. Her team mate Nicola Olyslagers joined her but sadly, teenager Erin Shaw bowed out after clearing 1.80m.
LEONGATHA’S Eleanor Patterson is up and over 1.92m chasing a place in the top 12 competitors or an automatic qualifying height of 1.94m in tonight’s World Championship qualifying rounds in Budapest Hungary.
Her compatriot Nicola Olyslagers was also over 1.92m at her second attempt in Group B and looks destined for a place in the final as well, being the leading high jump competitor in the world this year.
As is her wont, Nicola, the reigning Olympic Silver Medallist sat down cross-legged and filled out her diary with a running commentary on the competition.
Australia’s Erin Shaw has also cleared her first jump at 1.80m.
Commentators at the World Championships in Budapest say the 35 jumpers will be chasing at least 1.92m to get into the final on Monday morning Australian time.
Eleanor Patterson looked thoughtful as she completed an easy clearance at 1.89m but showed no sign of the discomfort she felt earlier in the year after breaking a bone in her foot.
It hasn’t been the perfect lead-up but Eleanor says she is finally starting to hit form, at the right time.
“It adds a bit of pressure, but at the same time, you can pick and choose what you take on board,” former world gold medallist Patterson said to Athletics Australia.
“My biggest focus right now is the fact that I’m in one piece and jumping really well, and really, really happy to be competing. No matter what title is attached to my name, it’s still just high jump and anything can happen on the day. I’m excited to bring forth whatever I can on the day and come back and defend my title.”
Eleanor made a much better clearance, first time at 1.92m and looks to be into her groove.
Eleanor took the world by storm in Eugene, Oregon on July 19, 2022 when she made a clutch jump to clear her personal best height of 2.02m to win the World Championship gold. There were others in the field who had higher PBs notably the Ukraine sensation Yaroslava MAHUCHIKH who has a PB of 2.06m but you’ve got to be fit and able to put it out there on the day – and today is the day. Go Eleanor.