Olyslagers to Headline High Jump at Maurie Plant Meet | One Month to Go

The Maurie Plant Meet - Melbourne has received another boost with one month to go in the form of Olympic silver medallist Nicola Olyslagers; the equal Australian record holder set to soar in unison with Oceania’s first Continental Tour Gold meet.

The world rank number four headlines a quality Trans-Tasman battle in the high jump featuring junior compatriot Erin Shaw and Kiwi rivals Keeley O’Hagan and Imogen Skelton, chasing another feat on home soil after becoming the first Australian woman to clear two metres in 2021.

With a best of 2.02m to her name, Olyslagers’ world-class credentials place her a level ahead of her competitors on paper, but the 26-year-old who has jumped all around the globe knows that meets of such significance must be met with equal performances.

“I am so excited to compete in a Gold meeting on home soil. I believe it is the best preparation for major championships and to raise our world ranking. It helps bring out personal bests and fantastic performances, especially for the next generation of Australian sporting greats,” Olyslagers said.

“The atmosphere is always one of anticipation of greatness, not only from the athletes competing but also the crowd. In the lead up to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, this event will be a great opportunity to build the momentum of a crowd pushing us to compete at our very best.”

Fifth at the World Championships in Oregon before withdrawing from the Commonwealth Games final due to a calf injury, Olyslagers will put her pre-season into practice in front of a home crowd at Melbourne.

“I am training hard and feeling healthy. I start my first competition in Canberra this weekend, full of hope that all the work will come together at the right time,” Olyslagers said.

New Zealand duo O’Hagan and Skelton are locked in to make the trip across the ditch and pick up the gauntlet thrown down by Olyslagers, holding personal bests of 1.89m and 1.86m respectively. O’Hagan will be out to build upon her career-best jump to finish in sixth place at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, while the 22-year-old Skelton add to her international experience having competed at the 2019 World University Games.

18-year-old Australian Shaw could be one of the big improvers in 2023 after producing a 1.88m clearance to finish fourth at last year’s World Under 20 Championships. Knocking on the door of the 1.90m range and rapidly bridging the gap to the senior ranks, Shaw will be primed to challenge her senior counterpart for the win in Melbourne after a series of indoor competitions in Europe.

Tickets and more information about the Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne can be found HERE.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 23/1/2023