Now comfortable with technical overhaul, Isinbayeva says she’s ‘unbeatable’

Yelena Isinbayeva didn’t mince words today when asked if she could be beaten in her upcoming defence of her World title in the Pole Vault.

“No,” she said, in a delivery that was more matter-of-fact than it was boastful.

“I know that if I do my best, it’s impossible for someone to beat me,” she said. “The question now is only if I can keep improving. There’s no chance for anybody. Sorry,” she said, with a smile, “but that’s the way it is.”

Most of Osaka’s leading contenders share a cautious sense of optimism prior to their upcoming competitions, but not the 25-year-old Russian World record holder. Since her bronze medal showing at the 2003 World Championships in Paris, Isinbayeva has captured every major title she’s battled for, including the Olympic title in 2004, global titles indoors in 2004 and 2006, and the World title in 2005.

Despite lack of competition, Pole Vault remains her ‘passion’

And she knows that there’s been little evidence submitted recently to suggest her brash attitude is unwarranted.

“Of course I feel better if I have stronger rivals, that they want to [win]. Of course that motivates me so much,” she said. But besides recently minted U.S. record holder Jenn Stuczynski, who cleared 4.88 in June, only five other women have topped 4.70 this season, while Isinbayeva’s World lead currently rests at 4.91.

“Before, when I had rivals like [Russian Svetlana] Feofanova and [Poland’s Anna] Rogowska, They were pushing me up. Now I try to push myself each time I compete. That is more difficult but I still enjoy the Pole Vault. It is my passion.”

She’s already set 20 World records, and predicted that it will take an effort of 5.16 or perhaps even 5.20 before she achieves her goal of surpassing vault legend Sergey Bubka’s World record tally of 35.

‘I’m starting to feel like I’m flying’

But she hasn’t raised her mark outdoors since her 5.01 leap at the last World championships in Helsinki two years ago, a situation due primarily, she said, to a change in coaches last year and key technical changes. Those changes, she assured, are coming along just fine.

“Everything is going good with my technique,” she said. “Now I’m more confident with my jump. This year I’m starting to feel like I’m flying over, not jumping over. I’m confident.”

Isinbayeva said she’s now using a “much higher” grip, and is regularly managing well with longer 4.50 and 4.55 poles.

“I look forward to jumping higher than before,” she said. “Everything is fine now.”