Ukrainian high jumper Kateryna Tabashnyk did not finish the 2026 Ukrainian Indoor Championships due to a serious injury she sustained during one of her attempts. The athlete left the sector on a stretcher, Suspilne Sport reports.
Tabashnyk was among the four leading athletes competing for medals at the height of 1.90 meters. During her first attempt, she made a bad landing and remained lying on the mat for a long time.
In tears, Tabashnyk held her calf after landing. The competition in the sector was suspended while she received medical assistance, after which she was carried out of the arena on a stretcher by doctors.
After a serious injury, Tabashnyk missed most of the 2023 season and almost the entire first half of 2024, taking part in only three official competitions that year. The 2025 season became a full one for the jumper — including the indoor season, she competed in about fifteen events.
Since the start of the 2026 season, Kateryna had taken part in two official competitions before the national championships. Both were held in the Czech Republic, and in the first one — the season opener in Hustopeče in early February — Tabashnyk finished fourth with a jump of 1.90 meters, just short of the podium.
Meanwhile, Yaroslava Mahuchikh became the 2026 Ukrainian indoor champion in the high jump.
A total of 13 athletes representing four regions and the city of Kyiv competed in the event. Two participants finished the competition with personal bests, and another recorded her best result of the 2026 season.
The height of 1.90 meters became the key mark for four leaders of the Ukrainian team. Yaroslava Mahuchikh cleared it on her first attempt, as did Iryna Herashchenko, while Yuliia Levchenko needed two attempts.
Only Mahuchikh and Levchenko cleared 1.96 meters, while Herashchenko finished the competition with bronze at that height. Mahuchikh needed two attempts, and Levchenko three, which allowed Levchenko to repeat her season best.
The height of 1.98 meters was the second bar Mahuchikh skipped. After two attempts Levchenko also moved the bar to 2.00 meters but failed to clear it and finished with silver.
As a result, Yaroslava Mahuchikh became the new Ukrainian champion, beating Levchenko by attempts at 1.96 meters.