In a stunning display of athletic prowess, USA’s Katie Moon secured gold in the pole vault at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, marking a historic achievement as the first woman to win three consecutive titles in this event. The excitement of the final on Wednesday was palpable, as Moon not only triumphed but also relived fond memories of her Olympic victory in the same city just two years prior.
Moon’s winning jump came at a season’s best height of 4.90 meters, edging out fellow American Sandi Morris, who claimed silver with a jump of 4.85 meters. Slovenia’s Tina Sutej took home the bronze, clearing 4.80 meters. For Morris, this silver medal represents another near miss, having now finished second in four world championships. Her quest for an outdoor world title continues, highlighting the fiercely competitive nature of women’s pole vaulting on the global stage.
At 34 years old, Moon has become the oldest woman to win a world championship pole vault title, a testament to her endurance and skill in a demanding sport. Despite contemplating participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Moon expressed candid reflections on the struggles of maintaining peak performance as she ages. “They’re all special, but I think the older you get, it gets harder,” she explained. Her success at the World Championships reinforces her legacy as one of the sport’s greats.
Conversely, Morris articulated her mixed emotions regarding yet another silver medal. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledged the challenges she has faced, including injuries and sacrifices, that have shaped her path back to the podium. “It’s bittersweet, walking away with another silver,” she said, yet she also recognized the value of her accomplishments, emphasizing that, “there’s a lot worse things in the world than silver medals at the world championships.”
The competition quickly narrowed to Moon and Morris, both clearing the early heights with remarkable ease. Initially, they swiftly cleared the first three heights up to 4.75 meters on their first attempts, showcasing their exceptional capabilities as elite pole vaulters. Only two additional competitors were able to match their early success, setting the stage for an intense showdown.
As the contest unfolded, the presence of Sky Kennedy, the reigning Olympic champion, was missed after her withdrawal due to a leg injury just days prior to the championships. Kennedy, who had shared the last world championship gold with Moon in Budapest, had set expectations for another thrilling competition. Nevertheless, the tension remained high as Moon and Morris pushed each other to greater heights.
With both women clearing the initial heights without any faults, the competition heated up as Morris raised the bar to 4.85 meters, successfully clearing it on her first attempt. Following a missed attempt from Moon at this height, she made a bold decision to jump at 4.90 meters, successfully securing this height as her final attempt. Morris, despite her attempts at 4.90 meters and a desperate final effort at 4.95 meters, was unable to surpass Moon, resulting in a well-deserved silver once more.
Moon also aimed to break the championship record of 5.01 meters, set by Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva in 2005, with her last attempt. However, after running through her attempt, she chose to celebrate her victory, a fitting tribute to her outstanding achievement.