World champion Bohdan Bondarenko of Ukraine beat world indoor champion Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar in an epic high jump duel at New York's Diamond League meet on Saturday.
Bondarenko and Barshim both cleared 2.42 meters - the first time two athletes jumped that high in the same competition - and both took shots at 2.46.
Both were unable to surpass the 21-year-old world record of 2.45 set by Cuba's Javier Sotomayor in 1993 but their leaps still marked the best height cleared since Sotomayor jumped 2.42 in 1994.
Only Sotomayor has ever jumped higher and their thrilling duel captivated a crowd of 4,000 at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island across the East River from Manhattan.
Bondarenko, who won on fewer misses, took three tries at the record height and Barshim tried twice, and predicted the record would soon fall as the jumpers stole the limelight from the sprinters.
In contrast, Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake, on the comeback trail after not being able to try and defend his world championship 100 metres title last year because of a hamstring injury, was disappointed by his showing.
Blake blamed a poor start for his second-place finish behind his countryman Nesta Carter in the men's 100M sprint. Carter clocked 10.09 against a strong headwind with Blake timing 10.21.
Reigning world, world indoor and Olympic champion David Rudisha of Kenya won the men's 800 in 1:44.63 as he rounds into form after missing most of last season with a knee injury.
Warren Weir of Jamaica, the Olympic bronze medallist and world silver medallist, ran a season's best 19.82 seconds to win the 200 metres over compatriot Nickel Ashmeade.
Vikas eighth
In men’s discus throw, India’s Vikas Gowda struggled to finish eighth, with an effort of 61.49 metres.
Results: Men: 100M: Nesta Carter (Jamaica) 10.09 seconds, 1; Yohan Blake (Jamaica) 10.21, 2; Keston Bledman (Trinidad and Tobago) 10.23, 3. 200M: Warren Weir (Jamaica) 19.82 seconds, 1; Nickel Ashmeade (Jamaica) 19.95, 2; Alonso Edward (Panama) 20.06, 3. 400M: LaShawn Merritt (US) 44.19 seconds, 1; Wayde Van Niekerk (South Africa) 44.38, 2; Chris Brown (Bahamas) 44.61, 3. 800M: David Lekuta Rudisha (Kenya) 1:44.63, 1; Mark English (Ireland) 1:45.03, 2; Duane Solomon (US) 1:45.13, 3. 400M hurdles: Javier Culson (Puerto Rico) 48.03 seconds, 1; Michael Tinsley (US) 48.56, 2; Cornel Fredericks (South Africa) 48.58, 3. High jump: Bohdan Bondarenko (Ukraine) 2.42 metres, 1; Mutaz Essa Barshim (Qatar) 2.42, 2; Andriy Protsenko (Ukraine) 2.35, 3. Long jump: Jeff Henderson (US) 8.33 metres, 1; Christian Taylor (US) 8.06, 2; Rushwal Samaai (South Africa) 8.00, 3. Discus throw: Robert Harting (Germany) 68.24 metres, 1; Piotr Malachowski (Poland) 65.45, 2; Ehsan Hadadi (Iran) 65.23, 3.
Women: 100M: Tori Bowie (US) 11.07 seconds, 1; Samantha Henry-Robinson (Jamaica) 11.13, 2; Schillonie Calvert (Jamaica) 11.15, 3. 200M: Tianna Bartoletta (US) 22.68, 1; Natasha Hastings (US) 23.06, 2; Bianca Knight (US) 23.17, 3. 400M: Francena McCorory (US) 50.15, 1; Stephanie McPherson (Jamaica) 51.20, 2; Anastasia Le-Roy (Jamaica) 51.49, 3. 800M: Natoya Goule (Jamaica) 2:00.28, 1; LaTavia Thomas (US) 2:01.11, 2; Marilyn Okoro (Britain) 2:01.57, 3. 1500M: Abeba Aregawi (Sweden) 4:00.13, 1; Dawit Seyaum (Ethiopia) 4:00.66, 2; Jennifer Simpson (US) 4:02.54, 3. 100M hurdles: Queen Harrison (US) 12.62 seconds, 1; Dawn Harper-Nelson (US) 12.63, 2; Lolo Jones (US) 12.77, 3. 3000M Steeplechase: Sofia Assefa (Ethiopia) 9:18.58, 1; Purity Cherotich Kirui (Kenya) 9:23.43, 2; Lydia Chepkurui (Kenya) 9:27.42, 3. Pole vault: Fabiana Murer (Brazil) 4.80 metres, 1; Jennifer Suhr (US) 4.70, 2; Yarisley Silva (Cuba) 4.70, 3. Triple jump: Kimberly Williams (Jamaica) 14.31, 1; Anna Pyatykh (Russia) 14.19, 2; Yorsiris Urrutia (Colombia) 14.13, 3. Shot put: Valerie Adams (New Zealand) 19.68 metres, 1; Michelle Carter (US) 19.51 2; Cleopatra Borel (Trinidad and Tobago) 19.04, 3. Javelin throw: Linda Stahl (Germany) 67.32, 1; Kathryn Mitchell (Australia) 66.08, 2; Madara Palameika (Latvia) 64.86, 3.
