Ukrainian High Jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh Devastated by Loss of Coach

Gold medalist returns home to tragic news

Mahuchikh: "I felt the pain of this loss"

Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh has expressed her devastation at the loss of her coach, Sergey Bubka, following his tragic death in a car accident.

Mahuchikh, who won gold at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon last year, had been training under Bubka since 2019 and paid tribute to his "immense knowledge and experience".

Speaking about the loss upon her arrival in Dnipro, Mahuchikh said: "I stood there with tears, feeling the pain of this loss".

Bubka, who was also a former Olympic champion in the pole vault, was considered one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time.

His death has sent shockwaves through the athletics world, with many paying tribute to his legacy and offering condolences to Mahuchikh and her family.

Mahuchikh is expected to compete at the European Athletics Championships in Munich next month, where she will be aiming to add to her medal collection.

However, the loss of her coach is sure to be a major blow to her preparations, and she admitted that she is still struggling to come to terms with it.

In a statement released through the Ukrainian Athletics Federation, Mahuchikh said: "Sergey Bubka was more than just a coach to me, he was also a friend and a mentor.

"He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of athletes to come."