Kurtis Marschall wins Australia’s first medal of World Athletics Championships
Kurtis Marschall has claimed Australia’s first medal of the World Athletics Championships, and hailed Mondo Duplantis after the pole vaulting icon set yet another world record.
Rather than be angry, Kurtis Marschall says he’s privileged to be a part of the Mondo Duplantis era of pole vaulting.
Once again the Swedish superstar was in a league of his own in the world championships final, leaving Marschall to pick up the scraps which this time was his second bronze medal.
The Australian equalled his career-best of 5.95m yet was an extraordinary 35cm behind Duplantis who set his 14th world record, clearing 6.30m on his third attempt.
“It’s stupid and it’s tough knowing I got pumped tonight but I jumped the best I ever have against some of the best guys in the world on the biggest stage I have ever jumped on,” Marschall said.
“I know it;s a tough pill to swallow but just to be a part of this generation of pole vaulters is still so sick. Ten years ago in my coaches’ generation I would be pumping them all but it is what it is and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
The great Sergey Bubka broke the world record 35 times and won six consecutive world titles back in his heyday and Duplantis is producing similar numbers of dominance.
He has now won the past eight global pole vault titles and Monday night’s victory took his unbeaten streak to 36 competitions over the past two years. This was also his fourth world record for the year.
Marschall called the performance from the 25-year-old Swedish superstar as the “icing on the cake” for another perfect season.
“We all knew he was going to do it, third attempt (at world record) he is pretty much guaranteed and this is icing on the cake, miracle stuff, fairytale stuff and to be a part of it is so cool,” he said.
“We all knew he was going to do it to cap off the perfect season. He has already had five perfect seasons before this and to come back here, he didn’t jump the world record in Tokyo (in 2021) at the Olympics and I think he wanted to do it this time definitely.
“You could see it in his eyes, he was clearing it for sure.”
Marschall did exactly what he did in Budapest two years ago at the world championships, clearing 5.95m for third but said this time was more special given the depth of the competition.
Rising Greek star Emmanouil Karalis took silver with a clearance of 6.00m with an unprecedented seven vaulters clearing 5.90m.
“We had the most guys attempting six metres ever and the highest jump (5.95m) to get fourth place ever,” Marschall said. “This generation of pole vault is outrageous. It’s ridiculous but to be a part of it and mixing it with the big boys.”
The 28-year-old was disappointed not to break through the six-metre barrier and join fellow Australian Steve Hooker, Dmitri Markov, and his coach Paul Burgess, in that exclusive club.
“I have been tickling six all year and like it’s just been unlucky not to stay up,” he said. “I feel like that first attempt was so close, probably the closest I have ever been.
More Coverage
“It would have been a crazy night had I jumped six metres but 5.95 for a bronze medal, the first medal for the team at this championships, I can’t complain with that.
“I’m super happy how I performed, going clean through 5.90, I’ve never done that before and that’s what you have to do at a championship.
“So to put myself in the mix the whole way, keep the pressure on, put the foot to the floor, pedal to the metal, that is the way you’ve got to go about at a championship.”
When you can see Olympians in action in Tassie
‘Unrecognised’: Swimming vies for love – with a swipe at athletics
The Tasmanian athletes who shone on the national stage
Aussie star smashes national record at Valencia Marathon
Olympian’s son takes flight on national stage
