Triumph over adversity for Topic

World Student Games

World Student Games

Dragutin Topic's gold medal in the men's high jump at the yesterday represents a supreme triumph over adversity, writes Rob Dorsett from Fukuoka, Japan.

The Yugoslavian athlete has competed in less than 10 international competitions since the Barcelona Olympics of 1992, due in most part to the international sanctions instigated against his country.

His victory is an oasis in a desert of troubles. He already holds the world junior record of 2.37m, and won the senior European Championships in 1990, despite being a junior at the time. Next year he could be challenging the best in the world.

Britain's Brendan Reilly won bronze with a jump of 2.27m - 2cm behind the Yugoslavian. It was his best clearance so far in a season which has been another disappointment for a man with so much raw talent.

David Grindley's comeback was halted when he failed to qualify for the final of the 400m, despite running his fastest time this year - 46.15 sec - in finishing fifth.