Lasitskene loses for the first time since June 2016, managing only to clear 6-2.75 in third-place finish

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

The 45-meet winning streak in the women’s high jump for Maria Lasitskene ended Friday at the annual Diamond League meeting in Rabat, Morocco.

Lasitskene, an authorized neutral athlete, hadn’t lost a competition since placing second at the Russian nationals June 23, 2016. It was the second-longest streak in the history of the event, trailing only the exceptional 11-year unbeaten run produced by Romanian Iolanda Balas, who won 150 straight competitions before her streak ended in 1967.

“I am disappointed, of course, but these things happen,” Lasitskene told the IAAF. “I lost myself. I had no problem, no injuries, it was just a bad day. Now I need to go back to training and work hard.”  

Lasitskene cleared 6 feet, 2.75 inches (1.90m), before missing on three attempts at 6-4.25 (1.94m) to finish tied for third.

Mirela Demireva of Bulgaria and Yuliya Levchenko of Ukraine both cleared 6-4.25, but Demireva prevailed on fewer attempts, before taking three unsuccessful tries at 6-7.50 (2.02m).

Lasitskene’s streak included 28 outdoor wins – 11 at Diamond League events – and 17 indoor victories. She cleared at least 6-6.75 (2.00m) during the streak 28 times, including 12 occasions this year, and captured IAAF World Indoor and Outdoor titles during her unbeaten run.