Nina Kennedy Dominates Athletics with Eight Consecutive Victories

Nina Kennedy Claims Victory at Diamond League Final

West Australian pole vaulter Nina Kennedy has finished a golden season with a victory in the Diamond League final in Brussels. Kennedy, age 27, achieved her eighth successive competition win, which featured a gold medal vault at the Paris Olympics, marking a remarkable 4.88m clearance on her first attempt. Her main competitors, including the American Sandi Morris, Canada's Alysha Newman, and the UK's Molly Caudery, were unable to surpass a height of 4.80m.

Final Attempts and Personal Achievements

Chasing one last milestone, Kennedy soared tantalizingly close to a world-leading height of 4.95m for 2024 on her last attempt, although her personal best remains at 4.91m from Zurich last year. This season, she registered a best jump of 4.90m in the Olympic final and secured five Diamond League wins, with a total of ten victories out of eleven competitions, eight at the international level.

• Major Highlights:
• Seventh win in a row at the Diamond League final.
• Impressive performance under high-pressure conditions.
• Inspired by fellow Aussie athlete Matt Denny, who also took gold.

In her own words, Kennedy noted the intensity of the competition, stating, “I could feel it. It’s the seven best girls in the world right now, and they made me earn it.” She expressed contentment over her consistent performance, even amidst bittersweet feelings due to not exceeding her personal best.

Outstanding Performances by Australian Athletes

Other impressive results for Australia included Matt Denny's gold medal in discus, where he nearly achieved a personal best with a throw of 69.96m. High jumper Nicola Olyslagers also secured a silver medal, contributing to an outstanding performance by the Australian team in the Diamond League series.

As Kennedy noted, her desire to return home to Australia is strong, reflecting both her successful journey and the experiences she has embraced throughout the season.