Ukraine’s Dmytro Nikitin emerged victorious in the men’s high jump at the Ostrava Games, clearing 2.24m and edging out Czech rising star Jan Štefela on countback.
Both athletes cleared the same height on their third attempts, but Nikitin’s cleaner record at earlier bars handed him the win. It was a strong return to form for the 25-year-old Ukrainian.
Top 10- Final Results
- Dmytro Nikitin (Ukraine, born 1999, order 6) – 2.24
- Jan Štefela (Czech Republic, born 2001, order 12) – 2.24
- Marco Fassinotti (Italy, born 1989, order 9) – 2.20
- Jef Vermeiren (Belgium, born 2000, order 8) – 2.20
- Tihomir Ivanov (Bulgaria, born 1994, order 3) – 2.20
- Manuel Lando (Italy, born 2000, order 4) – 2.20
- Edgar Rivera (Mexico, born 1991, order 7) – 2.20
- Luis Castro Rivera (Puerto Rico, born 1991, order 5) – 2.15
- Marek Bahrík (Czech Republic, born 1999, order 2) – 2.15
- Stefano Sottile (Italy, born 1998, order 10) – 2.15
Nikitin has had a commendable 2025 season, solidifying his reputation as a consistent presence in major competitions. He opened the year with a strong performance at the Beskydska Látka indoor meet in Třinec. He cleared 2.24 meters, marking a new indoor personal best and earning third place.
His momentum carried into the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, where he cleared 2.23 meters in qualification. He went on to finish fifth in the final with a clearance of 2.26 meters, matching the fourth-best height of the event.
At the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, Dmytro Nikitin represented Ukraine in the final but managed only 2.14 meters.
Fierce Štefela
Meanwhile, Jan Štefela showed prowess at Ostrava. He has emerged as one of Europe’s top high jumpers in recent seasons. The 23-year-old Czech athlete began turning heads back in 2021 when he claimed gold at the European U23 Championships.
Since then, he has steadily progressed through the ranks, culminating in a superb indoor season in 2025 where he won silver at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, clearing 2.29 meters.
