Pole vault champion Kennedy pulls out of Tokyo worlds

Australia’s Olympic and world champion pole vaulter Nina Kennedy has pulled out of this month’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo due to a leg damage.

Kennedy, who final 12 months turned the primary Australian lady to win Olympic gold in a discipline occasion, underwent hamstring surgical procedure in April after three strains in six weeks.

Regardless of not having competed since September final 12 months, Kennedy stated final week that she was decided to defend her title in Japan on a wildcard.

One other damage setback compelled her to reassess, nevertheless.

“Not the information I need to be sharing,” the 28-year-old wrote in an Instagram publish on Friday.

“I’ve strained a muscle in my leg in considered one of my final classes earlier than worlds (not close to the surgical procedure website, which is a win). I am unhappy to say I might be withdrawing from the world championships.

“Although I am dissatisfied, I am pleased with myself for making an attempt to get again and put myself in one of the best place to leap excessive at worlds.

“I can genuinely say I did every part I might, I gave it a red-hot crack and that in itself is a measure of success. Sport might be brutal, however accidents are simply a part of the journey, and that is okay.”

Kennedy cleared 4.90 metres to win the world title in Budapest in 2023, the identical top that received her Olympic gold in Paris final 12 months. Her private finest is 4.91m.