Russian pole vaulter Svetlana Feofanova failed to break the world record of 4.81 metres on Tuesday after attempting three times to cross 4.83 during an IAAF super Grand Prix meeting in central Greece.
But she convincingly won her event with a 4.70 clearance, beating her arch-rival and world record holder Stacy Dragila of the U.S. who managed only joint fifth on 4.50.
World indoor silver medallist Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia was second with 4.60.
Olympic gold medallist Kostas Kenderis, running his first race in Greece since winning last year's European championship, was made to work hard for his victory in the 200 metres in front of a delirious home crowd.
Kenderis, who is also the world champion, powered around the bend and clocked 20.30 seconds. Stephane Buckland from Mauritius was second in 20.32 and Nigerian Deji Aliu (20.49) came in third.
Aliu won the 100 metres dash in 10 seconds flat, beating Dwain Chambers from Britain who came in second, clocking 10.03.
Former European champion Christine Arron, from France, narrowly won the women's 100 metres ahead of Ukrainian world champion Zhanna Block, running her first race this season.
WINNER SMILING
Arron, hoping to perform well in front of a home crowd during this year's world championships in Paris in August, clocked 11.09 seconds. Block was timed at 11.13. "The world championship is my goal for this year," a smiling Arron said.
In the men's 400 metres hurdles, world champion Felix Sanchez clocked the season's best time with 48.07 seconds, leaving the rest of the field four metres behind.
Latvian Stanislavs Olijars continued his impressive run in the men's 110 metre hurdles this season, winning in 13.20.
The 1998 world junior champion, who holds the season's best time with 13.15, beat Olympic gold medallist Anier Garcia from Cuba who managed only fourth. American Chris Phillips was second with 13.45.
American long jumper Dwight Phillips, the world indoor champion, won his event with an 8.44 metres effort, leaving compatriot Savante Stringfellow, who holds the season's best performance, in third place with 8.28.
European champion Jolanda Ceplak of Slovenia won the women's 800 metres in 1.57.79, almost two seconds ahead of the pack.
"My goal is to break the world record and I'll try to do it in Paris," she said.
