World champion Kennedy soars to Australian indoor record at Zurich Diamond League

One week since claiming world glory, Nina Kennedy (WA, Paul Burgess) has soared to new heights, navigating her way to another win, world lead and new Australian and Oceania indoor record on the opening night of the Zurich Diamond League.

Rolling into the Swiss city on a high from her maiden world title at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Kennedy added one-centimetre to her existing record, clearing 4.91m on her first attempt to secure the win.

As the later stages of the competition approached, it was the Australian and fellow world champion Katie Moon (USA) who remained in contention for the top spot; both as hungry as they were last week for another taste of victory, and both determined to score the win on their own after sharing their global glory.

Kennedy nearly crashed out of competition at 4.76m only coming alive on her final attempt. Regrouping herself, the world leader flexed her form clearing 4.86m on her first approach as her rival passed in, and raised the bar to 4.91m, maneuvring over the bar with ease.

Moon made one unsuccessful attempt at the height, electing to use her remaining two attempts at 4.96m. Neither of the world champions could clear the bar at the height.

"Having a week off after Worlds, I just wanted to go out there and fun and I think because the pressure was off, I was able to just focus on doing what I love. I can't believe I was able to jump 4.91 tonight!" Kennedy said.

"I didn't actually have a lot of confidence going in today. I knew that Katie was out for blood. Sharing that gold medal was nice and all but tonight we both wanted to win and be the outright winner so I felt the pressure. We had a great battle tonight and I came out on top and she fought really hard and it fills me with a lot of confidence going into Eugene for the Diamond League finals and for next year too."

In achieving 4.91m, Kennedy also becomes the meet record holder and elevates to fifth on the World Athletics All-time List for indoor competition.

The Zurich Diamond League is a two-day meet, with the rest of the competition taking place tomorrow. Australian athletes competing and their times are as follows:

Friday, 1 September:

• 2.48am – Men’s High Jump
  Brandon Starc (NSW, Alex Stewart)
• 3.18am – Men’s Pole Vault
  Kurtis Marschall (WA, Paul Burgess)
• 4.24am – Men’s Long Jump
  Chris Mitrevski (VIC, John Boas
• 4.41am – Men’s 1500m
  Stewart McSweyn (TAS, Nic Bideau)
• 4.53am – Women’s 800m
  Catriona Bisset (VIC, Ned Brophy-Williams)
• 5.53am – Women’s 4x100m Relay
  Australia

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 31/8/2023