Chaunte Howard-Lowe: „Diamonds are my best friends“

What do diamonds and strawberries have in common? There were both an issue at the traditional strawberry party just 24 hours before the Bislett Games in Oslo. At this party, in fact, high jump star Chaunte Howard-Lowe (USA) said: “I don’t want to be a fluke – my goal is to be consistently on top and to win the diamond.” As we all know, diamonds and girls are best friends, “and I want to reunite with my best friend!”

After having jumped 2.04 meters in Cottus last weekend, Howard-Lowe holds the new American record, which is seasonal best at the same time. To say that she’s already won the competition in Oslo is saying too much. Her toughest oponent, in fact, is Croatia’s Blanka Vlasic. The reigning World Champion, who competed in the Indoor season as well and is recovering from hard training weeks, said: “I’m not concerned about my competitors. For sure, I do not change my plans only because of the performances of others. I think that I will find my top form later this year in summer and I’m confident that my plans and my concepts will work out for me.”

Vlasic jumped 2.08 m in Zagreb last year, and her ambitions are high. “My only goal is to perform better than in 2009 this season”, she said.

Dancing celebrations could happen if Chaunte Howard-Lowe or Blanka Vlasic will win the competition, and maybe Steve Hooker will join them? The Australian is reigning Olympic and World champion but performed badly in Shanghai finishing only sixth. “This place is not representative of where I am standing now. My form is good; sometimes you have just unlucky days. That’s sport, sorry.”

In a few hours, strawberries are not an issue anymore. Then, only the fight for the diamonds count.