Blanka Vlasic - World Champion

VIDEOS: Blanka Vlasic - All About
Sve o Blanki Vlašić

When she knew she had won, Blanka Vlasic decided there was still a treat or two in store for the crowd. She would attempt to break the High Jump world record, but first cam a little dance from the first World champion from Croatia.

She stood by the side of the mat and she jigged one way, and then the other. The spectators celebrated – and she waved and danced away more.

“I wanted to win this gold medal so much,” said Vlasic, 23, from Split. “Now I am in a state of shock.”

The unleashing of these emotions after she had been the only athlete to clear 2.05m brought confirmation of what the sport knew about her.

In 2002, in Santiago, Chile, and two years later in Kingston, Jamaica, Vlasic won gold at the IAAF World Junior Championships, one of the best bases for success as a senior.

It put her third on the all-time list behind Kostandinova and her fellow Bulgarian Lyudmila Andonova and if she does break the World record, we now know what to expect.

“In every competition, I actually have a different dance," she said. "It gives positive energy to people in the crowd. You need to spice it up.”