On January 17, Lviv hosted the traditional high jump competition — the Demianiuk Memorial. The main star of the event was Olympic champion and world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh, who opened her 2026 competitive season at the Lviv arena.
For the Ukrainian track and field athlete, this start had special significance — for the first time in the past three years, Mahuchikh competed in Ukraine, and for the first time in the status of both world record holder and Olympic champion.
Prior to this event, Yaroslava already held the women’s record of the Demianiuk Memorial — 2.01 m, set in 2020. In the very first competition of the new season, she managed to surpass her own achievement.
Mahuchikh entered the sector after all her competitors had finished the competition. With incredible support from a packed arena, Yaroslava cleared 1.91 m and 1.96 m on her first attempts, 2.00 m on her second attempt, and took 2.03 m on her third try, officially setting a new tournament record.
This victory became Yaroslava’s third in the history of the Demianiuk Memorial and the second time she has rewritten the competition record in her career. Moreover, the result of 2.03 m, with which the Ukrainian star opened her season, is currently the best mark in the world this year.
After the competition, Yaroslava Mahuchikh spoke in an interview about her preparation in Dnipro under wartime conditions and blackouts, her emotions from the first competition of the season, plans for the Ukrainian Championships and the World Championships, technical aspects of her jumps, new elements in her training process, and special support — including from a Japanese fan who traveled thousands of kilometers to see her compete in Ukraine.
— You haven’t competed in Ukraine since early 2023. What emotions did you have today?
— It’s absolutely incredible to compete and start my season here. It’s a big responsibility for me. This season I’m preparing at home, in my native city of Dnipro. So we’ll continue preparing for the Ukrainian Championships, which will take place in Kyiv at the end of February. It’s amazing and very special to feel the support of our people.
— Given the situation in Ukraine, especially the recent complete blackout in Dnipro, why did you decide to prepare at home?
— Because after almost four years of traveling across Europe and the world, you really want to just be at home and enjoy the atmosphere — regardless of power outages or shelling. It’s still home: my friends, family, my cat, whom I missed very much, are all here. So home is better.
— Judging by the result, did training at home pay off?
— Yes!
— Your coach Tetiana Volodymyrivna said that today she felt this was the Yaroslava she knew before.
— I felt it myself as well, and I’m very happy to return to that state. I hope the season will be spectacular. We are continuing preparations for the World Championships, which will take place in March in Poland.
— First competition of the season and already 2.03 m. Did you miss competing that much?
— Yes, I was really looking forward to it. In the 2024 season I started with 2.04 m, so there’s room to grow. I think everything will be successful.
— What’s next? Where will you compete before the World Championships?
— Before the Worlds there will be another international competition — on February 8 in Germany, and then the Ukrainian Championships in Kyiv. I’m very nervous, because it will be my first time competing at the Ukrainian Championships in six years. The last time was in Sumy, before the war. I’m really looking forward to it and want to feel that atmosphere again.
— Which jump was the best for you today?
— Probably the jump at two meters, the second attempt. I liked the take-off phase the most there. That’s why it was the best one.
— Your Japanese fan Atsushi came to Ukraine. How did he get here, and how does he like Dnipro?
— He flew to Warsaw and then traveled by bus to Dnipro. We welcomed him according to Ukrainian traditions — with a ceremonial loaf of bread. He liked everything very much, especially borshch — he’s ready to eat it all the time. He enjoys everything here. By the way, he will also come to the Ukrainian Championships in Kyiv. It’s very cool, because he’s exploring Ukraine and even wants to live in Dnipro, so he’s learning the Ukrainian language.
— There were different run-ups today from a technical point of view. Was that intentional?
— We’ll analyze that technically with my coach. On 2.00 m and 2.03 m I didn’t hit my spot in the curve, and I could feel that. But thank God, on the second attempt at 2.03 m everything worked out — I’m happy. We’ll keep working; there’s still time.
— Tetiana Volodymyrivna mentioned that you added gymnastics to your training. What did it give you?
— Gymnastics improved my technique over the bar and the fluidity of my movements. It helps a lot. I’m glad we started doing it. And actually, this year I feel my run-up a bit differently. I like it.
— There was a lot of attention from fans and children today. Do you think you inspired them to new sporting achievements?
— Of course. I really hope I gave them motivation. We jump for the people. I constantly compete on international stages so that children can enjoy it and feel inspired. There were a lot of people, a lot of kids, everyone was cheering and applauding. It’s very pleasant and motivates me to jump even higher.
