Mazal tov! Israeli triple-jumper qualifies for medal round at World Championships

Triple-jumper Hanna Knyazyeva-Minenko secured a place in the final competition in her sport with just one jump.

By ALLON SINAI
Updated: AUGUST 23, 2015 04:38
Hanna Knyazyeva-Minenko of Israel competes in the women's triple jump qualification during the 15th IAAF World Championships in Beijing (photo credit: REUTERS)
Hanna Knyazyeva-Minenko of Israel competes in the women's triple jump qualification during the 15th IAAF World Championships in Beijing
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Israel’s Hanna Knyazyeva-Minenko required just a single attempt to book her place in the triple jump final at the world athletics championships on Saturday, clearing 14.27 meters in Beijing, China.
Knyazyeva-Minenko, who is considered to be Israel’s best medal hope at the championships, had to jump 14.25 meters or finish among the best 12 performers to secure her qualification, and she wasted no time in doing so.
“I feel excellent,” she said. “I wanted it to be quick and I’m happy that I made the final after just one attempt. It is a shame to waste important energy in the qualifiers. Now I can rest well to ensure I reach the final in the best condition possible.”
The 25-year-old, who jumped 14.61m in Prague in June to improve her own national record, finished in sixth place in the previous edition of the world championships in Moscow two years ago, her first major event as an Israeli.