MARSCHALL SOARS TO MAIDEN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PODIUM IN BUDAPEST

Kurtis Marschall has produced the competition of his life to collect his maiden World Athletics Championships medal in the final of the Men's pole vault over in Budapest.

Continuing the winning formula of WA's pole vaulting pedigree, Kurtis Marschall (UWA, Paul Burgess and James Fitzpatrick) has produced a sensational collection of jumps to share equal bronze with USA's Christopher Nilsen. 

In scenes reminiscent of training partner Nina Kennedy's gold medal performance, Marschall demonstrated nerves of steel to secure the podium in a tightly fought final and clear a career best of 5.95m. Undeterred and focused on bringing home his first World Championship medal, Marschall was able to shake off an early miss at 5.90m and stay in the mix for a podium. Backing himself the WA-based athlete passed his remaining attempts at 5.90m and instead shifted his attention to 5.95m. Needing a first-round clearance to ensure a podium spot, Marschall delivered the clutch jump of his life and soared over 5.95m. 

Marschall attempted to become only the fourth Australian ever to clear 6.00m, however, both he and Nilsen were unable to master the 6.00m mark, with the duo instead sharing bronze on countback. 

“Chris and I wanted to do exactly what Nina (Kennedy) and Katie (Moon) did the other night. We were both so stoked to clear 5.95 on our first jump. Usually that gets you more than just equal bronze, but I couldn’t be more stoked,” Marschall said.

“I missed the first attempt at 5.90. It was a ballsy move to go 5.95 after a miss. I just knew I could clear it because I cleared it earlier this season. I just managed to clear it on first attempt to my complete elation. I don’t know how to describe it.”

Ranked fifth going into the World Athletics Championships, Kurtis Marschall becomes Australia's fifth World Championship medalist in pole vault and the first Australian male athlete to step up on to the podium since long jumper Fabrice Lapierre claimed a silver in 2015. 

“It has been a while since we’ve won a Men’s Pole Vault medal in Australia. Nina is obviously doing amazing at the moment and I’m trying to copy what she’s doing. She got a bronze last year, I got a bronze this year. She got a gold this year… you never know what is going to happen next year!” Marschall said at the post-event press conference..

“It’s awesome to come from such a rich heritage in Australia. It’s been an awesome season as well. It’s been a break-out season even if I haven’t quite got that six-metre bar yet but we’re young and have many years ahead of us.”

Athletics star Armand Duplantis took out his second consecutive Men's pole vault World Athletics Championship title, with the World Record holder dominating the competition once again and clearing 6.10m to take out the title. 

By David Smith, Athletics West

Extra Reporting Athletics Australia

Posted 27 August 2023