Feofanova failed to clear the bar just once in her eight visits to the pit, at 4.70 metres.
Annika Becker of Germany took the silver with a leap of 4.70m, which she cleared on her second attempt.
Becker then went for 4.75m, but after failing to clear it in two attempts, had the bar moved up 5cm for her ninth and final attempt, but failed in that too, giving the gold to Feofanova, who did not take her final attempt.
Another Russian, Yelena Isinbayeva, took the bronze with 4.65m.
Defending champion and joint championship record holder Stacy Dragila of the United States could only manage fourth position, clearing a height of 4.60m.
Photograph: Getty Images