Blanka Vlasic:Biggest upset in Beijing Olympics

Blanka Vlasic reigning World Champion in high jump was overthrown by bespectacled Tia Hellebaut of Belgium. Born at Split in Croatia Blanka was named after the Moroccan city of Casablanca where her father competed at 1983 Mediterranean Games around the time of her birth.

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With a personal best of 2.07 and 38 consecutive win prior to Beijing Olympic 24-year-old Blanka was top favourite to win high jump contest in Beijing. While Tia Hellebaut struggled to clear the bar in the first attempt, Blanka did it seven times to the joy of her fans gathered to see her win first Olympics medal. But in her eighth jump when the bar was raised up to 2.05m , she faltered while 30-year-old Hellebaut cleared the bar in her first attempt. So Vlasic, better luck next time!