10.07.2009

Pejkovic wins silver at world youth titles

Amy Pejkovic has claimed Australia’s first medal at the 6th IAAF world youth championships, taking out the silver medal in the girls' high jump.

Pejkovic set a new personal best height of 1.85m to move into second place behind local favourite Alessia Trost, who cleared 1.87m to take home the gold.

The result betters Pejkovic’s previous best mark of 1.82m posted in Sydney in June. 

The 16-year-old said the silver medal and new personal best record capped a memorable debut on the world stage. 

“Oh my God, it’s the best day of my life,” Pejkovic said.

“I thought I could do it, you always have little doubts but I wanted it. It’s so good, I don’t know what to say, I’m just lost for words.”

Starting the competition at a height of 1.65m, Pejkovic breezed through the early rounds before missing her first two attempts at 1.82m. 

Clearing that height on her third and final effort, Pejkovic went on to nail 1.85m on her first attempt.

The New South Wales athlete said the support she received from a vocal Aussie cheer squad helped her over the bar in the late stages of the event.  

“The crowd was such a huge help, just having an Australian crowd here is amazing,” she said.

“When the bar was at 1.85m and the crowd got a clap going on my first jump it just pushed me over the bar. My hands were shaking, my whole body was shaking but I just ran at it.

“It was so amazing to get over it, I screamed so loud I think all of Australia heard me.”

Pejkovic’s coach and family joined a band of Aussie supporters in the stands at today’s final.“My coach is very happy, very pleased with it and it means so much more that he’s here and my family is here, it’s good to have someone to hug,” Pejkovic said. 

Following the event Pejkovic joined gold medallist Trost in a victory lap of the track.

“I didn’t think I should have gone because I came second but Alessia asked me and I thought, ‘why not’,” she said.

Also in action in today’s final was fellow Australian Denise Snyder, who placed eleventh overall with a best leap of 1.75m

Clearing 1.65m and 1.70m on her first attempts it took Snyder two attempts to nail 1.75m before being eliminated from the competition at 1.79m.

While disappointed not to have matched her personal best mark of 1.81m, Snyder said her debut on the international stage at the world youth titles had been an unforgettable experience. 

“I was just so happy to make the final, it’s such a great honour to represent your country,” Snyder said.

“It’s been such a great experience, I’ll remember it for a long time. You learn a lot from these competitions and I’m just so happy for Amy.”

For all the action from day three at the world youth championships, click here.