Isinbayeva blames over-confidence for flop

Eurosport - Thu, 27 Aug 19:20:00 2009

Olympic women's pole vault champion and world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva has blamed her flop at the Berlin world championships on over-confidence.

ATHLETICS 2009 Berlin 2009 Yelena Isinbayeva - 0

"I just thought I would take another gold medal and another world record. It was like a daily job," the Russian said on the eve of Friday's Zurich Golden League meeting. "I didn't feel like I was competing."

Isinbayeva, 27, left last week's world championships in Berlin in tears after failing with all three attempts, leaving Poland's Anna Rogowska to claim victory.

Isinbayeva has won the last four global titles, claiming gold at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics and 2005 and 2007 world championships as well as a host of European and indoor titles.

"Maybe I was a bit over-confident," said Isinbayeva. "I thought it was just going to be for me. I lost concentration and I was too relaxed.

"Before Berlin, my wins were nothing special, almost nothing. But now I will value them more. It's good to be reminded that this is sport and the unexpected can happen."

Zurich Golden League LIVE at 9.30pm on Friday August 28th on British Eurosport 2 (Sky 411 / Virgin Media 525); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe

Reuters

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  1. Keep going, Yelena Isinbayeva, you're the great of­ the greatest!

    From zehtrindade, on Sat 29 Aug 12:05AM

  2. the result in berlin will be good for her in the long­ run, i like her and think she is extremely good at what­ she does but this will make her a better competitor, i­ dont think she was beaten in berlin by ahyone other­ than herself, her world records speak volumes and show­ that she is the best out there. good luck to her­ anyways.

    From ajpbolton, on Fri 28 Aug 7:42AM

  3. If it's any consolation, I definitely would

    From Chemical Ali, on Thu 27 Aug 10:57PM
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