World Champs Women’s Pole Vault — Historic 3-Peat for Moon

NOT EVEN Yelena Isinbaeva could string together three successive World Champs wins, but now Katie Moon has. The American, who won Olympic gold in Tokyo 4 years ago, added to her ’22 and ’23 gold medals thanks to a last-gasp clearance at 16-¾ (4.90).

For much of the contest, Moon was well in control soaring over bars up to and including 15-9 (4.80) at the first time of asking. She was initially matched every step of the way by Sandi Morris until the latter needed two attempts to get over the 15-9 bar.

However, Morris then grabbed the initiative when she went over 15-11 (4.85m) straight away and Moon suddenly looked vulnerable. She brought the bar down on first try and slipped back into 2nd place.

However, Moon is more than used to tense PV situations and gambled, passing up and saving her last two attempts for 16-¾.

Both women had modest first attempts but then Morris went desperately close with her second try only to see Moon moments later ride her luck and go clear. She hit the bar with her torso and bumped it vertically clear of the uprights before it in the end settled back down.

Moon could scarcely believe her luck and celebrated like she had won the Powerball while Morris looked utterly deflated, like someone had thrown away her winning lottery ticket. Thus gut-punched, Morris had a lackluster third foul and settled for a fourth successive Worlds silver medal.

The contest wrapped up with Moon running through on an attempt at an outdoor American Record of 16-5¼ (5.01). The AR remains in Morris’ possession with her 16-4¾ (5.00) from the ’16 Brussels DL.

Moon reflected, “It was such a battle. I knew it was going to be. I kept telling myself I would need to jump over 4.90 to win. I knew Sandi was in good shape. I am just happy and relieved it ended up the best for me. You never know whose day it’s going to be.”

Into the bargain, at 34 years and 96 days, Moon became the oldest-ever women’s PV world champion, breaking her own superlative from Budapest 2 years ago.

For Morris, yet another silver was somewhat bittersweet: “This year I feel that I found myself again. There was a lot going on behind the scenes, so I am happy to be back on the podium. I know I am still capable of getting into 5-meter territory. There is a bit of disappointment, too, because I wanted to jump higher, but I jumped a season’s best. I am still hungry.”

Slovenia’s bronze medalist Tina Šutej, a 2-time NCAA indoor winner more than a decade ago as an Arkansas Razorback, took the bronze with her third-time clearance at 15-9.

At the age of 36, Šutej became the oldest-ever women’s pole vault WC medalist and finally got on a global outdoor podium after placing 4th at the last two World Champs.

As happened 2 years ago in Budapest, the U.S. qualified 4 women for the final and twins Hana and Amanda Moll had identical scorecards, finishing equal-6th with 15-3 (4.65).

Moon’s path to gold was cleared slightly as injuries took their toll on two women who 2 weeks earlier would have been regarded as possible challengers to Moon’s hegemony.

Australia’s ’24 Olympic champion Nina Kennedy, who shared the ’23 WC title with Moon, withdrew just over a week ago after the latest in a series of physical setbacks over the last 6 months. Great Britain’s ’24 world indoor titlist Molly Caudery, who has cleared 15-11 this summer, turned an ankle while warming up for the qualifying round.

WOMEN’S POLE VAULT RESULTS

FINAL (September 18)

1. Katie Moon (US) 16-¾ (4.90) (out WL);

2. Sandi Morris (US) 15-11 (4.85);

3. Tina Šutej (Slo) 15-9 (4.80);

4. Amálie Švábíková (CzR) 15-7 (4.75);

5. Angelica Moser (Swi) 15-3 (4.65);

=6. Amanda Moll (US) 15-3 (4.65);

=6. Hana Moll (US) 15-3 (4.65);

=8. Marie-Julie Bonnin (Fra) 15-3 (4.65);

=8. Olivia McTaggart (NZ) 15-3 (4.65);

10. Imogen Ayris (NZ) 14-7¼ (4.45);

=11. Roberta Bruni (Ita) 14-7¼ (4.45);

=11. Chunge Niu (Chn) 14-7¼ (4.45);

… nh—Juliana Campos (Bra), Eliza McCartney (NZ).

QUALIFYING (September 14; auto-qualifier 15-5/4.70)

Qualifiers: all qualifiers cleared 15-1/4.60;

Non-Qualifiers: [14-7¼/4.45]—Lea Bachmann (Swi), Kitty Friele Faye (Nor), Maryna Kylypko (Ukr), Elina Lampela (Fin), Elisa Molinarolo (Ita), Lene Onsrud Retzius (Nor), Kajsa Roth (Swe) PR, Pascale Stöcklin (Swi), Elien Vekemans (Bel);

[13-11¼/4.25]—Ariádni Adamopoúlou (Gre), Saga Andersson (Fin), Hanga Klekner (Hun), Misaki Morota (Jpn), Marleen Mülla (Est);

… nh—Beatriz Chagas (Bra), Jennifer Elizarov (Can), Yana Hladiychuk (Ukr), Wilma Murto (Fin), Mirè Reinstorf (SA).