Serbia’s Topic jumps 7-5 1/4, makes final at IAAF worlds

Dragutin Topic, who turns 37 in five days, cleared 2.27 (7-5 1/4) today on his third try to make the finals at IAAF indoor worlds in Valencia, Spain. He’s the oldest high jumper in meet history. A month ago, he became the oldest man to clear 2.30 (7-6 1/2), so he has some inches left in his legs. He was perfect until his last height, making 2.15, 2.20 and 2.24 on first attempt. Masters gotta conserve energy, ya know.