MOSCOW (AP) Russian pole vaulting great Yelena Isinbayeva was victorious on her return to action at the Russian Winter indoor meet Sunday after an 11-month hiatus from competition.
Isinbayeva, who announced her departure from the sport after finishing fourth at the Doha World Indoor Championships in March, cleared 4.81 meters to beat compatriots Svetlana Feofanova, the European champion, and Alexandra Kiryashova, who both jumped 4.56.
"Everything came off today," said Isinbayeva, who has set 27 world records. "The aim was to win and it's everything we planned. It's great and I'm happy my return worked out."