Australia’s 27-year-old athlete Nina Kennedy won gold on Wednesday in the women’s pole vault competition at the Olympic Games. This triumph comes a year after she and her American opponent Katie Moon tied for first place at the world championships.
Kennedy became the first Australian female Olympic vault champion with her winning vault of 4.90 meters, a season’s best. She repeatedly pumped her fist in celebration after clearing the bar, expressing her deep rivalry with Moon as well as the significance of her victory.
Kennedy stated to reporters, “I wanted that gold medal, hands down.” This time, I didn’t want to share it. I gained a lot of confidence when speaking with the media, even though laying everything on the line was extremely vulnerable and frightening. I’m just overjoyed that I finished the task.”
After vaulting 4.90 meters apiece at the world championships in Budapest last year, Kennedy and Moon made the decision to split the gold. After receiving harsh criticism on social media, Moon defended the choice, claiming that as fatigue sets in, the risk of vaulting increases.
Kennedy made sure there was no sharing on Wednesday at Stade de France. She easily cleared the next three heights after failing at 4.70 on her first try.
Moon’s only opportunity to win was to clear 4.95 after Kennedy’s successful attempt at 4.90, but they both missed that height.
Kennedy said that after clearing 4.90, she had a sneaking suspicion that victory was already secured.
“I was aware that first-attempt clearances at those high bars would win the competition. I won because I gave that one moment my whole attention,” she remarked.
Her victory served as some sort of atonement for her elimination in the preliminary round of the Tokyo Olympics due to a serious quadriceps injury.
The 30-year-old Newman had a run of disappointing seasons after taking home the gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, broken up by a serious concussion he sustained in 2021.
“I had issues with my brain as well as my mental health. I had a problem with my brain,” Newman said, adding that her neurologist was present in the audience on Wednesday.
“I wasn’t content. It was difficult for me at the time, and I didn’t enjoy the sport. I had to take a step back. I rediscover my love for track.”
