On the second morning of action in Toruń, the Swiss star moves firmly within reach of the historic mark.
Switzerland’s Simon Ehammer is on the verge of something special at the World Indoor Championships in Torun, with a performance that puts the heptathlon world record firmly within reach.
After scoring a first day total of 3,698, Ehammer returned in emphatic fashion on day two (March 21).
He made an immediate impact in the 60m hurdles, clocking a stunning 7.52 to surpass the world heptathlon best. In doing so, he surpassed Ashton Eaton’s long-standing mark by 0.08 seconds for a total of 4,804 points.
The pole vault became pivotal. With the pressure mounting, Ehammer delivered when it mattered most, clearing a season-best 5.30m on her third attempt.
Although he failed to progress beyond 5.40m, two failed efforts there did little to derail his momentum and he closed the sixth event with 5808 points.
The target remains Eaton’s world record of 6,645 points, set in 2012. Only 1000 meters separate Ehammer from history, the equation is simple. A time of 2:43.20 or faster would secure the record. It is reassuring that it is well within his means, given his personal best of 2:41.76 from last year’s European Indoor Championships.
Elsewhere in the morning, the medals were decided in the men’s high jump, continuing a strong showing in the women’s event after Jaroslava Mahuchych won the day before.
Ukraine’s Oleh Doroshchuk added another gold to the world title with a season’s best of 2.30m.
He was pushed all the way by Mexico’s Eric Portillo, who matched that tally for a lifetime performance. However, Doroshchuk secured gold on countback, leaving Portillo with a breakthrough silver medal to celebrate.
There was a tie for bronze and Raymond Richards and Woo Sang-Hyok cleared 2.26m to share the podium, ending a highly competitive and high-class competition.
