Born: 1982 (Yerevan, Armenia)
Biography:
Anna Vladimirovna Chicherova is a Russian high jumper who has established herself as one of the most successful athletes in her sport. Born on July 22, 1982, in Yerevan, Armenia, she later moved to Belaya Kalitva, Russia. Chicherova’s journey in athletics began at a young age, and her passion for high jump propelled her to achieve great success on the world stage.
Chicherova first made a mark in the sport in 1999 when she won her first major title at the world youth championships in Bydgoszcz. Remarkably, she achieved this feat at the age of only 16, demonstrating her exceptional talent and potential. This early success set the stage for a remarkable career that would see Chicherova become one of the leading high jumpers in the world.
Throughout her career, Chicherova faced numerous challenges and adversities. After her second world silver medal in 2009, she announced her retirement, believing that she had reached the pinnacle of her achievements. However, fate had other plans for her. In 2010, Chicherova gave birth to a child, which inspired her to make a remarkable comeback in 2011. Her determination and resilience paid off, as she established herself as the world’s leading female high jumper, surpassing her competitors, including the renowned Blanka Vlaši, previously regarded as the dominant figure in the sport.
Chicherova’s crowning moments came at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics and the 2012 London Olympics. She soared to victory, claiming the gold medal in both prestigious events. These achievements solidified her status as a true champion and cemented her place in high jump history.
However, Chicherova’s career was not without controversy. In a devastating blow, her bronze medal from the 2008 Summer Olympics was stripped due to a positive doping test. A retest of samples from the 2008 Games uncovered a total of 31 positive findings for performance-enhancing drugs, one of which was admitted by her coach to belong to Chicherova. The International Olympic Committee confirmed this finding in October 2016 and revoked her medal. This setback tarnished her legacy but did not diminish her determination to continue competing at the highest level.
Chicherova’s resilience and talent continued to shine even after these setbacks. In September 2019, she faced another setback when she was denied clearance for the IAAF World Athletics Championships along with Elena Lashmanova. Nevertheless, she remained committed to her craft and sought opportunities to demonstrate her skill and passion for high jump.
In July 2018, after returning to a national competition and achieving a jump of 1.90 meters, Chicherova received permission to participate in the 2018 European Athletics Championships. This marked another chapter in her enduring career, showcasing her unwavering dedication to the sport.
Apart from her impressive record of victories and achievements, Chicherova holds the Russian national record in high jump, with a personal best jump of 2.07 meters. This outstanding performance was achieved on her 29th birthday at the Russian track and field championships in 2011. Additionally, she set the Russian indoor national record with a jump of 2.06 meters at the Hochsprung mit Musik meeting in Arnstadt in 2012.
Chicherova’s contributions to women’s athletics and her impact on society extend beyond her individual success. Her journey of overcoming obstacles and returning to the top of her sport serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and demonstrates the power of perseverance.
Awards:
– Gold Medal, 2012 London Olympics – High Jump
– Gold Medal, 2011 World Championships in Athletics – High Jump
– Silver Medal, 2007 World Championships in Athletics – High Jump
– Silver Medal, 2013 World Championships in Athletics – High Jump
– Bronze Medal, 2015 World Championships in Athletics – High Jump
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