Henkel Leaps 6-9 1/2, Sets World Record

Heike Henkel of Germany set a world indoor record in the women’s high jump Saturday, clearing 6 feet 9 1/2 inches on her third attempt at the German Indoor Track and Field Championships at Karlruhe.

Henkel, 27, the 1991 world outdoor champion who formerly competed for West Germany, broke the mark of 6-9 set by Stefka Kostadinova of Bulgaria on Feb. 27, 1988.

“At the last minute, I thought the bar would fall off,” Henkel said. “I’m already thinking about 2.10 meters (6-10 3/4). Maybe I’ll have to jump even higher at the Olympics in Barcelona.”

A few minutes earlier, Henkel broke the German record for the third time this season with a jump of 6-8 3/4.