AFP

Donetsk, Feb 19: Russia's athletics icon Yelena Isinbayeva set a new indoor world pole vault record of five metres at the annual Bubka memorial tournament on Sunday.

The 26-year-old beat her previous record of 4.95m, which she achieved here last year, and it was the sixth time in as many years that she has set a new world record indoors in Donetsk.

Two-time Olympic champion Isinbayeva was trailing Brazilian Fabian Murer, who set a new South American record with a 4.81m vault, but managed to clear the 4.86m mark in her next attempt to assure herself top place.

Her next two attempts at 4.96m were unsuccessful, but on her third try she managed to clear 4.97m to set a new world record.

She then ordered the five-metre mark, which she managed to clear on her second attempt.

Steve Hooker of Australia, the Olympic champion, won men's pole vault with 5.92m, but still short of Sergei Bubka's 16-year-old world record of 6.15m.