Kennedy overcame a horrid start to the women’s final, needing a clutch final-round clearance just to stay in the competition
Australian Nina Kennedy has shown nerves of steel, overcoming a horror start to the women’s pole vault final at the world athletics championships to claim the bronze medal.
The 25-year-old West Australian then went over 4.60m, 4.70m and 4.80m at the first time of asking to get right back into the contest.Kennedy missed twice at 4.85 and once at 4.90m – both beyond her PB of 4.82m – to leave Americans Katie Nageotte and Sandi Morris to battle it out for gold. The bronze was Australia’s first medal of the 10-day championships.
Australian Stewart McSweyn booked his spot in the men’s 1,500m final on Tuesday with an impressive front-running effort in the second semi. Denny opened up with a solid throw of 64.89m and then bettered the automatic qualifying standard in the second round with 66.98m – just nine centimetres shy of his PB – to confirm he will be a real medal chance in the final on Tuesday.