DONETSK, Ukraine — Yelena Isinbayeva broke her own indoor world record in the women's pole vault today, clearing 16 feet, 2¾ inches. It was the Russian's 21st world record.

The Olympic and world champion improved on her previous record of 16-2 that was set last year at the same event, which is organized annually by pole vault great Sergei Bubka. Isinbayeva also holds the outdoor record of 16-5¼, set at the 2005 worlds.

She twice failed to clear 16-2½ and raised the bar to 16-2¾ for her last attempt.

After her most successful season in 2005, when she set four indoor and five outdoor world records, Isinbayeva switched to a new coach and struggled through the last two seasons.