Anzhela Balakhonova

Anschela Balachonowa (Ukrainian Анжела Балахонова, English transcription Anzhela Balakhonova, . Born December 18, 1972) is a former Ukrainian pole vaulter, the first European champion of their sport in 1998.

After Balachonowa had begun as a teenager with Rhythmic Gymnastics, she turned to athletics. Only in 1996 she began pole vaulting, rose because of her gymnastic training but rapidly into the world's best. 1996 Pole Vault was first staged at major championships, namely at the European Indoor Championships in Stockholm. Balachonowa covered with 3.85 m in seventh place, the winning amount of the Icelandic Vala Flosadóttir was 4.16 m.

A year later, the Pole Vault Women had its premiere at the World Indoor Championships in Paris. It won the U.S. American Stacy Dragila of 4.40 m, 4.00 m with Balachonowa was ninth. In the Universiade 1997 in Catania the Australian Emma George won with 4.40 m, Balachonowa was behind the Austrian Doris Auer fourth. 1997 improved Balachonowa three times the European record, most recently in Weissach im Tal to 4.36 m.

At the European Indoor Championships in Valencia in 1998, she won with indoor world record of 4.45 m in front of the Czech Daniela Bártová and Vala Flosadóttir that crossed both 4.40 m. A week later Bártová increased indoor record to 4.48 m. Bártová and Balachonowa fought outdoors a duel for the European record. Bartovás 4.51 m on June 9, stayed until the end of the year are. The European Athletics Championships 1998 in Budapest Bártová already retired from in qualifying. In the final three jumpers jumped over 4.31 m. Because of the failed attempt usually won Balachonowa before the two Germans Nicole Rieger - Humbert and Yvonne Busch tree.

1999 increased Balachonowa the European record 4.54 m to 4.55 m in Uniondale in Saint- Denis. At the World Athletics Championships in 1999 in Seville Balachonowa jumped to 4.55 m highs in the first attempt, but failed unlike Stacy Dragila at the world record height of 4.60 m, with the Dragila stopped the record of Emma George.

At the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney Balachonowa failed with three failed attempts in the final. Balachonowa was Ukrainian champion in the years 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2005., Increasing its personal best in 2004 to 4.57 m and was at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens Sixth of 4.40 m.

Anschela Balachonowa is 1,62 m tall and weighed 55 kg in the competition.