Bubka Sets Pole Vault Record: 19-9

Sergei Bubka of the Soviet Union broke his world record in the pole vault with a vault of 19 feet 9 inches at an international track and field meet Tuesday.

Bubka broke the old mark of 19-8 1/2, which he set during the Goodwill Games at Moscow last July 8.

Bubka accomplished the feat on his third attempt in cold and rainy weather, according to the Czechoslovakian news agency CTK.

“The rain, due to which the competition had to be interrupted several times, made the conditions very difficult today,” Bubka said after the meet ended late in the evening.

Under the circumstances, he said: “I am all the happier over the record.”

Bubka’s brother, Vasili, was second at 18-4 1/2, and another Soviet, Grigori Yegorov, finished third at 17-8 1/2.

The absence of stars from other countries and the bad weather contributed to the lack of outstanding performances in the meet, which was dominated by East European and Cuban athletes. Athletes from 25 countries competed.

Alberto Cova of Italy and Elly van Hulst of the Netherlands were the only Western winners.

Cova won the men’s 3,000 meters in 7 minutes 53.98 seconds, and van Hulst won the women’s 1,500 meters in 4:12.26.

Igor Kazanov of the Soviet Union won the men’s 110-meter hurdles in 13.44 seconds, with Johnathan of Britain second.

Czechoslovakia’s Imrich Bugnar won the men’s discus with a throw of 217 feet 2 inches, well ahead of the 214-foot throw of West Germany’s Rold Danneberg.