TORUN, Poland: Oleh Doroshchuk won Ukraine's second gold of the world indoor championships in Torun, Poland, when he claimed victory in the men's high jump on Saturday.
Doroshchuk cleared 2.30 metres for his first global podium, his win coming fast on the heels of teammate Yaroslava Mahuchikh's victory in the women's high jump on Friday.
Mexico's Erick Portillo took silver on countback, with Jamaica's Raymond Richards and South Korea's defending champion Woo Sanghyeok sharing bronze, having both gone over 2.26m.
Belgium claimed the opening gold of the day in the mixed 4x400m, in its world indoor debut.
The quartet of Jonathan Sacoor, Ilana Hanssens, Julien Watrin and Helena Ponette clocked 3min 15.60sec for victory.
Relays powerhouse USA had won the mixed 4x400m at the past two outdoor world champs, but a botched first handover by Jevon O'Bryant left Sara Reifenrath prone and without one shoe — and all hopes for a podium gone.
Blanca Hervas' surge for the line ensured silver for Spain, Poland taking bronze.
Also on the track, Britain's Keely Hodgkinson, who smashed the indoor 800m world record last month, kept her hopes of a first-ever world indoor title on track as she sailed through to the final of the four-lap race.
Untimely injuries have prevented the 24-year-old from taking part in the past three editions of the world indoors.
But the Briton, who earned Tokyo Olympic silver and Paris Olympic gold and who has two world outdoor silver medals and a bronze, looks to be in perfect shape and coasted through her heat in 1:58.53.
"The race was fine," said Hodgkinson. "I just did what my coach said - to be faster in the first 400m and then finish around 1:58.
"I am looking for my bed now. It is rough to run in the mornings. We will see how fast I can run tomorrow," with the final set for 1853 GMT on Sunday.
Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred led a clutch of favourites through to the semifinals of the women's 60m.
Alfred, whose gold in the Paris Games was a first-ever Olympic medal for her home island nation of St Lucia, won her heat in 7.06sec.
Alfred has the chance to regain a world indoor title she won in Glasgow in 2024, while Italy's Zaynab Dosso will be looking to complete the medal set after silver in 2025 and bronze in 2024.
Alfred's heat-winning time was matched by Jamaican Brianna Lyston, as Dosso, Britain's Dina Asher-Smith, home hope Ewa Swoboda, American Jacious Sears, Luxembourg's Patrizia van der Weken and Jamaica's Jonielle Smith all qualified in style.
ANTHONY, JACKSON CLINCH GOLD
In Friday's late action, Jordan Anthony was crowned sprint king as shot putter Chase Jackson ensured a double golden start for the US team in Torun.
Anthony clocked a season's best of 6.41 seconds to come out on top of a stacked field.
The victory announced the arrival on the global stage of the 21-year-old who has just turned professional after starring on the US collegiate circuit over the past few seasons.
"The final was a great race but I still have a lot left in the tank," said Anthony, who described the race as "easy".
"Most importantly, I did my debut right and I am bringing the gold medal back to the USA."
World and Olympic silver medallist Kishane Thompson of Jamaica had to be content with another second place in 6.45sec.
It also spelled the continuation of Jamaica's gold medal drought in the event.
The bronze went to Anthony's teammate Trayvon Brommel, showing remarkable longevity on the circuit after having won gold back in the 2016 world indoors.
"You do not see too many talents like him (Anthony)," said Brommel, who was 20 when he won gold in the Portland word indoors.
"I expect him to have a great career ahead of him."
Defending champion Jeremiah Azu of Britain was edged into fourth.
Two-time world outdoor champion Jackson had earlier won the US team's first gold of the championships in the women's shot put.
Featuring one of the deepest fields on show, with multiple global medallists and athletes capable of pushing beyond 20 metres, only Jackson went over that mark.
She managed a best of 20.14m, relegating Canada's defending champion Sarah Mitton to silver with 19.78m, while Sweden's Axelina Johansson rounded out the podium (19.75).
"I wanted to come here and finish the collection of having the full set of world indoor medals," said Jackson.
"This has been one of those medals I have been chasing. I am really proud of it."
Mitton joked that before the competition, Jackson had told her she should let her win at least one indoor title.
"Of course, I was trying to beat her until the last attempt but, if it was not me winning, I am happy it was her!" the Canadian said.
Cuba-born Italian Andy Diaz Hernandez defended his triple jump title with a best of 17.47m in his first departure down the runway.
Jamaica's Jordan Scott claimed silver with 17.33m, while Algeria's Yasser Triki was just 3cm further behind for bronze.
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