Vlasic failed in her attempt to break the world record

Croatian high jumper Blanka Vlasic claimed her 31st consecutive win with a season's best equalling jump of 2.06m at a Grand Prix meeting in Madrid.

Vlasic finished ahead of Spain's Ruth Beitia and Olympic champion Yelena Slesarenko, who both cleared 2.01m.

South Africa's Mbulaeni Mulaudzi broke a meeting record when he ran the 800m in one minute 43:64 seconds.

Meanwhile, Britain's Marilyn Okoro was second in the women's 800m, finishing behind Morocco's Hasna Benhassi.

Benhassi, the Olympic silver medallist, set a season's best of 1 minute 58.54 seconds.

All eyes were on Vlasic, however, and her first clash of the summer with arch-rival Slesarenko.

The Russian did not come close to bringing a halt to Vlasic's winning streak as the reigning world indoor and outdoor champion cleared the winning height at the third attempt.

I'm very sure that I can achieve a medal in Beijing, not only in the podium but I'm going for the gold medal Churandy Martina

"I'm very happy with the result. I wanted to jump a meeting record but unfortunately I didn't make it, but there is plenty of time for that," said Vlasic.

Meanwhile, Churandy Martina of the Netherlands Antilles won the men's 100m in 10.03 seconds, finishing ahead of 2004 Olympic silver medallist Francis Obikwelu, who clocked 10.08 seconds, Craig Pickering finishing fourth in a season's best 10.23 seconds.

Martina took great confidence from the victory and predicted he would win 100m gold in Beijing, where world record holder Usain Bolt and world champion Tyson Gay will be the favourites.

"I'm very happy about my victory here in Madrid because I was suffering from an injury," he said.

"I'm sure that I can achieve a medal in Beijing, I'm going for the gold medal and I'm sure that I can achieve it."

In the women's 100m, Laverne Jones of the US Virgin Islands beat Ghana's Vida Anim with a time of 11.28 seconds.

In the men's triple jump, Portugal's world champion Nelson Evora won with a leap of 17.40m, Britain's Nathan Douglas surpassed the 17m with a wind-assisted leap of 17.08m