In Silesia, Poland, at a prestigious Diamond League meet, a historic event for Ukrainian athletics is set to take place. For the first time in the 2026 season, Ukraine's 'big three' high jumpers will compete in full strength: Yaroslava Mahuchikh, Iryna Herashchenko, and Yulia Levchenko. This meet will serve as the first major start following the conclusion of the 2026 European Championships, where Ukrainian athletes demonstrated a high level of skill.
The Triumphant Return of Yulia Levchenko
Special attention from the public and sports commentators will be drawn to the official return of Yulia Levchenko. In June of this year, the athlete suffered a domestic injury that forced her to miss the continental championship. However, despite the forced break, Levchenko has not lost her form. Prior to the injury, she was showing consistent results, and at the Diamond League meet in Xiamen, China, she won gold with an impressive mark of 1.99 meters. Her appearance on the starting line in Silesia will be a litmus test for her readiness for the rest of the season.
Yaroslava Mahuchikh: The Status of Favorite
Yaroslava Mahuchikh will arrive in Poland with the status of a three-time European Champion, having recently secured another title with a result of 1.97 meters. In 2026, the Ukrainian star has already posted her season's best of 2.01 meters. For Mahuchikh, this start will be an opportunity to confirm her status as one of the strongest athletes on the planet and continue the fight for leadership in the world rankings.
Iryna Herashchenko's Ambitions
Iryna Herashchenko continues to compete successfully in her first season since resuming her career. She already has 11 starts to her credit, with a best result of 1.97 meters. Despite excellent indicators, the track and field athlete has repeatedly stated her ambition to clear the 2.00-meter height. Silesia could be the place where Herashchenko realizes this dream and enters the elite of high jumpers by overcoming the psychological barrier.
Top Rivals and Schedule
The Ukrainian athletes will face the planet's strongest high jumpers in Silesia. The tournament entry list includes 11 athletes, among them titled Australians Nicola Olyslagers and Eleanor Patterson, as well as European Championship medalists Maria Jodzik and Maria Vukovich. The women's high jump competition will take place on Sunday, August 23. The section start is scheduled for 16:00 Kyiv time. A live broadcast in Ukraine will be available on the 'Suspilne Sport' YouTube channel.
