Nilsson was overjoyed after securing a spot among the nine in Sunday's high jump final in Apeldoorn. She set a new personal record with one centimeter after being faultless over 1.89 meters.
It feels completely incredible. I've never been in a final, never been in a championship in a senior context, says the Swede.
The qualifying limit was actually set to 1.92. But after 1.89, nine jumpers remained and then the qualifying was interrupted, resulting in an extra jumper in the final.
"Ready to jump higher"
I feel that I've had these heights in my body all season. I've still jumped 1.88 but felt that there's so much more. I'm ready to jump even higher in the final. I'm just so happy, says Nilsson.
Several of the world's biggest athletics stars are missing from the championship. Partly because it's not a global championship, but also because it's indoors and takes place just two weeks before the World Championship in Nanjing, China.
"Seen them on TV"
The women's high jump is an exception, however. Jaroslava Mahutjich, who won both OS gold in Paris, European Championship gold in Rome and set a world record (2.10 meters) last year, only made one qualifying jump when she cleared 1.89 on her first attempt. Even European Championship runner-up Angelina Topic from Serbia made it to the final.
It wasn't so long ago that I blossomed and started jumping well. You've seen them on TV. It still feels sick to compete with them, says Engla Nilsson.
