By ALLON SINAI
Dima Kruyter claimed the gold medal at the high jump competition in the World Youth Championships in Sudtirol, Italy on Saturday, becoming the first Israeli to scale the top of the podium at the event.
The 16-year-old began the competition flawlessly, clearing 2.09 meters, 2.13m, 2.17m and 2.20m on his first attempts.
Kruyter then failed to jump a new career-best of 2.22m, but still won the gold medal ahead of Denmark's Janick Klausen, who also cleared 2.20m but only on his third attempt.
Kruyter, who jumped 2.21m last month, has long been touted as the future star of Israeli athletics and on Saturday he proved he is on course to living up to that billing.
"This is an excellent achievement," Kruyter's coach Anatoly Shafran said. "He was close to clearing 2.22m and I hope he will do so at the Maccabiah."
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