Ukraine's Yuriy Krymarenko took the men's high jump gold at the World Championships in Helsinki when he was the only competitor to clear 2.32m. Victor Moya of Cuba and Yaroslav Rybakov of Russia tied for silver at 2.29m on the countback.
Red-hot favourite and Olympic champion Stefan Holm did not to live up to his billing, failing three times at 2.32m, twice at 2.29m and once at 2.25m.
Defending champion Jacques Freitag failed to qualify for the final.
Champion Krymarenko said he was shocked Olympic champion Holm did not pose more of a threat.
"I'm so happy and surprised," he said.
"My dream was to be in the group of the best eight but I didn't plan to be the winner. I thought Holm would have been the strongest.
"My day started out so well so I was in a positive mood, not nervous at all. I jumped quite well."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
