Russia's Isinbayeva breaks own pole vault record

(BEIJING, July 12) -- Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva broke her own world record in the pole vault by 0.2 m, jumping 5.03 meters at the Golden Gala in Rome on Friday. The previous record (5.01m) was set when she won the 2005 IAAF World Championships in Helsinki, Finland.

Isinbaeva celebrates with coach Vitaly Petrovin after setting new world record at IAAF Golden Gala. (Photo credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)When the 26-year-old Russian was asked whether she could improve even more by an IAAF reporter after the game, she responded confidently. "I think you know the answer," she said. "You saw I was not near at the bar, I was higher."

She repeated there her well-quoted intention that her career goal was to "eclipse Sergei Bubka's mark of 35 world records."

The Russian sensation has set 12 outdoor world records and 10 indoor world records, and is the only woman to clear 5 meters.

Isinbayeva's stunning performance puts huge pressure on rising US vaulter Jenn Stuczynski, who is currently ranked No. 2 in the world after setting the American mark of 4.92m at the U.S. Olympic trials.

Isinbayeva said she was propelled to the new mark by competition from Stuczynski, as she felt the American was eclipsing her.

"Everybody was saying 'Ah OK, Isinbayeva is finished, we have a new star, so today I was really angry," she said.

Although Stuczynski didn't participate in Rome, the two vaulters will duel this summer in the 2008 Olympic Games.