Ukrainian High Jumpers Gerashchenko and Levchenko Set to Compete at Diamond League Meet in China

Ukrainian Duo Returns to Diamond League Action

According to Главком: Two Ukrainian high jumpers, Iryna Gerashchenko and Yuliya Levchenko, are scheduled to compete at the second leg of the 2026 Diamond League season, taking place in Xiamen, China on May 23. This event features eight competitors, including Olympic and world championship medalists. Both athletes have already posted strong results in the 2026 indoor season: Levchenko claimed silver and Gerashchenko bronze at the Ukrainian Indoor Championships.

Competitors and Recent Performances

The Xiamen meet is the second stop of the 2026 Diamond League calendar and includes 14 disciplines, among them women's high jump. Gerashchenko, now 31, had not participated in Diamond League events since 2024 due to pregnancy. Levchenko last appeared at the 2025 Diamond League final, where she cleared 2 meters for the first time in five years.

Gerashchenko and Levchenko will face the following opponents in Xiamen:

• Eleanor Patterson of Australia, bronze medalist at the 2024 Olympics;
• Maria Zhodzik of Poland, silver medalist at the 2025 World Championships;
• Imke Onnen of Germany;
• Morgan Lake of Great Britain;
• Lamara Distin of Jamaica;
• Charity Hufnagel of the United States;
• Two Chinese athletes - Lu Jiawen and Shao Yuqi.

Both Levchenko and Gerashchenko also took part in the Ukrainian Indoor Championships, where Levchenko finished second and Gerashchenko third. Levchenko additionally competed at the World Indoor Championships, tying for second place, with Yaroslava Mahuchikh taking the win. Gerashchenko made her first international appearance after maternity leave in Belgrade, earning a bronze medal at the Indoor Gold Tour.

The competition in Xiamen is set to start at 13:50 Kyiv time. Meanwhile, Ukrainian high jump world champion Oleh Doroshchuk plans his first major outdoor start at the Diamond League meet in Rome on June 4, 2026, noting that he will skip events in May to focus on training and prepare for the summer season.

The participation of Gerashchenko and Levchenko in the Diamond League marks a comeback for Ukrainian athletes on the international stage after breaks due to personal circumstances.

This meet in Xiamen holds significant importance not only for the athletes themselves but also for raising the profile of high jumping in Ukraine globally. Moreover, their recent successes at the national championships highlight their competitiveness against world leaders in the sport.

As Ukrainian athletes continue to make their mark in international competitions, recent performances in other sports highlight the nation's growing prowess. For instance, the success of Sereda and Hrytsenko at the Diving World Cup Super Final showcases the talent emerging from Ukraine, further emphasizing the country's strong presence in elite sports this season.