Angelina Topic: Serbia's teenage high jump sensation takes the world by storm

High jumper Angelina Topic has caused a sensation in her short athletic career. The Serbian teenager has gradually worked her way to the absolute top of the sport and looks set for great things. Let's take a look at the 18-year-old's life and achievements so far. All stats are sourced from World Athletics, unless otherwise stated.

Topic was born on 26 July 2005, the daughter of Dragutin and Biljana Topic. Her father was an accomplished high jumper, winning the European Championships and still holding the Serbian high jump record. According to World Athletics, he is "one of the best Serbian athletes of all times". Her mother made a name for herself in the triple jump, in which she still owns the national record.

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With those genes, Topic seemed destined for great things in the world of athletics, which she soon proved. After excellent performances at a younger age, she came to the forefront in 2022, when she jumped 1.96m at the Serbian Championships, breaking the Serbian national record and equalling the world U18 record, according to European Athletics.

Topic was on a roll and took her good form to the European U18 Championships in Jerusalem, where she won gold with a 1.92m leap.

She improved that result to 1.93m at the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia, claiming the bronze medal and making her name on an ever bigger stage.

That same month, Topic was to compete at the European Championships in Munich, Germany. The Serbian won the bronze medal with 1.93m, beaten only by Marija Vukovic and Yaroslava Mahuchikh.

Only 17 years old at the time, Potic was the youngest medallist at the European Championships, according to European Athletics on Instagram.

After breaking Serbia's indoor record and a fourth place at the European Indoor Championships in early 2023, she took her career to the next level in June by setting a new personal best of 1.97m at the Meeting de Paris, Stade Charléty, Paris. Since then, she has since been able to repeat that result - a Serbian national record - twice in her career.

Shortly after, Potic did not hesitate to confirm her status as a supertalent and won gold at the 2023 European U20 Championships in Jerusalem, while also placing seventh at the World Championships in Budapest. To end the season in style, she claimed podium finishes at the renowned Diamond League meetings of Brussels and Eugene.

Her very good results at a very young age earned her a nomination for the 2023 World Athletics Women's Rising Star Award, which she managed to win. Topic is also growing into an in-demand athlete, and has signed a deal with Red Bull, as announced on Instagram.

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The future looks bright for Topic, who placed fifth at the World Indoor Championships in 2024 and is set to become one of the great future stars of athletics. Will she reach her goal?