Is THIS the secret to Olympic glory? Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh spotted using bizarre relaxation method in between rounds before winning gold in Paris

Ukrainian Olympic gold medallist Yaroslava Mahuchikh relied on a bizarre relaxation method to secure high jump glory in Paris – snuggling up in a sleeping bag.

Mahuchikh, who broke the event’s long-standing world record this summer, stunned her competition after clearing the 2m bar to secure the top step on the podium.

The secret to her success seems to be her inter-jump routine which involves her climbing into a bedroll in full view of the crowd and zoning out for a brief period.

At points, she even appeared to be taking a swift nap or simply meditating.

‘I feel comfortable when I lay and sometimes I can watch the clouds,’ Mahuchikh told TIME after winning gold. ‘Sometimes I can count numbers, 1,2,3,4, or breathe in, breathe out. It’s like, relax, [and] not think about that I’m at [the] stadium.’

Her secret to success appears to be her intra-jump routine – snuggling up in a sleeping bag

Mahuchikh was spotted climbing into the green bedroll and attempting to relax

Mahuchikh sometimes took it a step further and placed her head down on her backpack. Occasionally, she also sipped from a can of Red Bull to stay focused.

According to the New York Times, her quirky routine began in 2018, the year Mahuchikh won the high jump at the Youth Olympic Games. 

It is said that coach Serhii Stepanov suggested sitting too long between jumps allowed blood to pool in athletes’ legs, affecting their performance.

So, whenever Mahuchikh enters the arena to compete, she carries a backpack containing a yoga mat, her trusty sleeping bag and a change of socks.

Mahuchikh revealed she even gets a new sleeping bag every season.

The athlete even placed her head on her rucksack on her way to winning the event

A world record holder in high jump, Mahuchikh cleared the 2m bar to stun her competition

‘Because we have spikes, it’s really difficult,’ she explained. ‘But I advise all girls to have this mat and blanket because it’s really comfortable to lay in different weather. Because when it’s raining, it’s OK. It never gets hot because it’s a camping blanket.’ 

Her journey to the Olympics has been harrowing.

In February 2022, the now 22-year-old filled her car and escaped her home country as gunfire and artillery shells rained down at the start of Russia’s invasion.

Since then, in a disrupted preparation for this summer, Mahuchikh has trained and lived in several countries including Portugal, Poland, Germany, Belgium and Estonia. 

Her high jump victory represented Ukraine’s first individual gold in Paris.