In the jump and vault competitions, it’s the women who look poised to steal the spotlight at the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Osaka, Japan (25 Aug to 2 Sep).

WOMEN

A year ago, the women’s High Jump was among the most hotly-contested events in the sport. This year, Croatia’s Blanka Vlasic has been without peer. The 23-year-old has won 13 of her 14 competitions, and in three of her last four outings, has leaped 2.05m, 2.06 and 2.07. Stefka Kostadinova set the current World record of 2.09 at the second World Championships in Rome back in 1987; with several solid attempts at 2.10 now behind her, Vlasic poses a genuine threat to finally surpass Kostadinova exactly two decades later. Six others have cleared 2.00m, but none, including Sweden’s defending champion Kajsa Bergqvist, are within range of Vlasic on the Croatian’s best day.

Despite unprecedented depth in the event, the Pole Vault title is still firmly Yelena Isinbayeva’s to lose. The Russian star leads the world with a 4.91m clearance, and hasn’t lost in six competitions this season. Newly minted U.S. record holder Jenn Stuczynksi (4.88) is closest, but hasn’t produced threatening consistency.

In the Long Jump, Russian trio Lyudmila Kolchanova (7.21m), Tatyana Lebedeva (7.15) and Tatyana Kotova (6.90) are a solid threat for a podium sweep. Five other women have soared beyond 6.90, leaving defending champion Tianna Madison of the US (6.60 SB from May) with a very difficult task indeed.

Lebedeva will double back in the Triple Jump, and as the world leader (15.14m) the Russian is a serious threat to take an unprecedented third title. On paper, Cuban Yargelis Savigne (15.09 SB/PB), and Slovenia’s Marija Sestak (14.90) are closest, but neither have displayed the same consistency as the Russian.

MEN

The men’s High Jump has had its share of upsets in the past, and the situation this year is no different. Olympic champion Stefan Holm of Sweden (2.35m SB) seems to peaking best among the key competitors and has experience on his side. Four others have cleared 2.34 or better, including Russians Yaroslav Rybakov and last year’s sensation Andrey Tereshin. 

In the Pole Vault, defending silver medallist Brad Walker tops all competitors with a 5.95m clearance to his credit, along with a relatively consistent competitive slate. Australia will be represented by a formidable duo - Steve Hooker and Paul Burgess – who have topped 5.91 this season. With a solid trio - Tim Lobinger, Danny Ecker, and Björn Otto – the event features the best medal hopes for Germany on the men’s side. 

Irving Saladino (8.53m twice, unbeaten in six meetings) has followed up his 2006 coming out season extremely well, clearly leaving the Panamanian as the finest long jumper in the world. While less consistent, two-time defending champion Dwight Phillips (8.31 SB) of the U.S. will not go down easily although three others have leaped beyond 8.30. World leader Louis Tsátoumas (8.66) of Greece is sidelined with injury.

The Triple Jump spotlight is clearly on Christian Olsson, who returns to the World Championships stage after missing Helsinki with injury. The Swede, the Olympic champion, has reached 17.56m this summer, but has competed sparingly to ensure a healthy arrival in Osaka. At 17.90m, Brazilian gentle giant Jadel Gregorio is the world leader but is still seeking his first big leap away from home. American Arik Wilson is improving (17.58) while reigning champion Walter Davis is still looking for his first big jump of the year.

Bob Ramsak for the IAAF