EUGENE -- Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine soared to victory in the women's high jump at the Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field, repeating as Diamond League champion in the event.

“I’m so happy to compete and I’m happy that I have the opportunity to compete and show all the world that we are strongest, we are from Ukraine,” Mahuchikh said.

The competition for the podium positions thinned out with the bar at 1.95m/6-4.75, where Mahuchikh, Nicola Olysagers of Australia and Angelina Topic of Serbia all cleared on first attempts with American Vashti Cunningham, Brit Morgan Lake and Ukrainian Yulia Levchenko all bowing out at the height.

Women's High Jump came ready today ?

1⃣ Yaroslava Mahuchikh | 2.03m
2⃣ Nicola Olyslagers | 2.03m
3⃣ Angelina Topic | 1.95m

Presented by @GillAthletics #PreClassic #EugeneDL ?? pic.twitter.com/URDmYPwjcQ

— The Prefontaine Classic (@nikepreclassic) September 17, 2023

Mahuchikh gained further advantage with a first-bar clearance at 1.98m/6-6, keeping her card clean. Olysagers stayed alive by getting over the bar on her final attempt, while Topic failed to clear on any of her three tries.

The next bar, 2.01m/6-7 proved to be little trouble for either Mahuchikh or Olysagers, who each got over on their first attempts. Both women missed their first attempts at a world lead of 2.03m/6-8 with Mahuchikh remaining in the lead with a second-attempt clearance. Olysagers once again showed flair for the dramatic, getting over the bar again on her final jump to push on.

Neither Mahuchikh nor Olysagers was able to get over 2.05m/6-8/75 -- which would have established a new meet record -- with Mahuchikh taking the title via count back. Olysagers clearance at 2.03m established a new Oceanic area record.

What Mahuchikh has accomplished in the last 18 months is nothing short of remarkable.

In March of last year, the 21-year-old was forced to flee the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Traveling by car for three days and over 1200 miles, she made her way to Belgrade, Serbia and won gold at the World Indoor Championships.

Afterward, she moved to Germany to train while the war continued at home. Later that year, Mahuchikh won gold at the European Championships and took the silver medal at the World Championships here, before capping the year with her first Diamond League trophy.

This year has seen Mahuchikh win gold at the European Indoor Championships in March, at the European Games in June, and at the World Championships in Budapest in August. She also owned the best mark in the world this season coming into this meet at 2.02m/6-7.5 from her victory at the Diamond League meeting in Xiamen earlier this month.

“Now it’s extra important because it’s precious that I have the opportunity to represent my country and show all the world that in my country continue…and we are fighting and all our people fighting in different spheres," Mahuchikh said of the significance of her victory. "I’m fighting on track and after this I have opportunity to talk to journalists so I talk and spread all news to all the world.”