Zurich Diamond League 2023: Nina Kennedy sets world lead, besting Katie Moon
The Aussie co-World champion cleared 4.91 metres Wednesday, setting a new Oceania record, a new world lead and a new meeting record.
Athletics
Just days after Australia's Nina Kennedy and the United States' Katie Moon (née Nageotte) shared an emotional pole vault gold medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, the duo faced off once again at the Diamond League meeting in Zurich Wednesday (30 August 2023).
As expected the competition came down to Kennedy and Moon, with Kennedy taking the win in Zurich. Her best clearance, 4.91 metres, was a new Oceanic record, a world lead and a meeting record. Moon finished second, clearing 4.81.
Kennedy nearly crashed out of the final at 4.76m, needing three attempts to clear it but then she came alive, clearing 4.81m, 4.86m and 4.91m on her first attempt. She tried three times to clear 4.96m but was unsuccessful.
For her part, Moon only jumped five times in this final, clearing 4.66m and 4.81m on her first attempt. She missed at 4.91 once before passing. Moon bowed out of the competition after missing twice at 4.96.
Three-time World pole vault silver medallist Sandi Morris, a Rio 2016 silver medallist in the event, as well, of the United States pushed Moon and Kennedy, clearing 4.76m on her third attempt; however, after one miss at 4.81m she passed, raising the bar to 4.86. She failed on two attempts to end her day. Still her finish here in Zurich earns her a place in the Diamond League Finals.