World champ Chicherova wins Golden High Jump

ANTWERP, Belgium (AP) - World champion Anna Chicherova cleared 6 feet, 6 3/4 inches to beat Olympic champion Tia Hellebaut and win the Golden High Jump on Saturday.

In Hellebaut's return to top competition after the birth of her second child, she soared over 6-4 3/4, the Olympic qualifying height.

She failed three times at 6-6, giving victory in the battle of high jump mothers to the Russian champion. Chicherova equaled the top mark of the season after she cleared 6-6 3/4 for the second time this month.

It was the first competition for Hellebaut since she retired after the 2010 European championships because of her pregnancy.

"From now on, it can only go better. It is clear I still cannot perform at my peak,'' she said.

Hellebaut set a personal record of 6-8 3/4 meters to win the 2008 Beijing Olympics.