Olympic champ Chicherova claims women's high jump title

Reigning Olympic and world champion Anna Chicherova of Russia cleared 2.02 meters to win the women's high jump title at the 2013 IAAF World Challenge Beijing here on Tuesday. The 30-year-old veteran enjoyed a comfortable dominance in the field, securing the title after she leaped over 1.98m. She cleared 2.00m with her second attempt and went to go jump over 2.02m before she failed all the three attempts at 2.04. Although the winning mark is 0.05m short of her personal best, Chicherova is pleased with her result. "I was so glad when I jumped two meters and when I beat 2.02m I was so happy because I think it's good for me at this moment," said the Russian. "The World Championship is the main point for me and I can say that step by step before the World Championships, all competitions for me are important at this moment." "I will do everything to be in my best in Moscow. I think the main point is to win there because I want to do it for my friends, for my family and for my country," she added. Croat Anna Simic jumped 1.95 to finish second and Nadiya Dusanova of Uzbekistan cleared 1.92 to finish third. It was the second time for Chicherova to compete in China's National Stadium, known as the "Bird Nest", after she won a bronze medal here at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. "The Bird Nest is a very beautiful stadium. After the Beijing Olympic Games this stadium has been keeping in a very good shape," she said. Source: XINHUA