Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva lost her World Championship pole vault title yesterday when she failed to clear a height, giving the gold medal to Anna Rogowska of Poland.

The Russian world-record holder, who had won the last two Worlds, entered the competition late and was left with no height after three failed attempts.

Isinbayeva buried her face in her hands as she lay on the mat, then stood up and waved to the crowd still gasping after one of the biggest surprises so far in the championships.

No proper explanation

"I have no proper explanation," the Russian said. "Everything was perfect. I was confident ... . I did not expect it."

Rogowska, who also beat Isinbayeva at a meet in London meet before the championships, took the gold with a vault of 4.75 metres.

Chelsea Johnson of the United States and Monika Pyrek of Poland shared the silver with jumps of 4.65.

The 27-year-old Isinbayeva holds the world record at 5.05 and has broken the outdoor and indoor marks a total of 26 times. She has won the last two Olympic titles and has dominated the event like no other woman before her.

Isinbayeva decided to pass on the four opening heights and did not even start jumping until 4.75.