Averbukh falls short in his swansong Nationals (Israel)

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Track & Field: Averbukh falls short in his swansong Nationals
By ALLON SINAI


Alex Averbukh's final Israeli Athletics Championships ended in disappointment on Thursday after he only managed to clear 5.35 meters in the pole vault competition at Hadar Yosef Stadium.


Alex Averbukh.
Photo: AP
The 34-year-old finished the competition second to Yavgeniy Olhovsky, who was crowned Israel's champion with a jump of 5.45m.

"I was a little nervous because these were my final championships and it wasn't easy," said Averbukh, who will jump in the Maccabiah and at the World Championships in Berlin in August before retiring.

"I'm sure that when I make my final jump at the World Championships it will be really difficult."

Olhovsky was excited to have beaten the legend.

"I'm very proud," said Olhovsky. "This is the first time I've managed to beat Alex in competition."