Source: Radio New Zealand
Eliza McCartney in action at the Sir Graeme Douglas International. David Rowland/Photosport
Kiwi pole vaulter Eliza McCartney has thrown down the gauntlet to fellow Kiwis Imogen Ayris and Olivia McTaggart in their internal battle for selection to the world indoor championships in Poland this month.
The 2016 Olympic bronze medallist and 2024 world indoor silver medallist has cleared 4.81m to capture her seventh national title at Auckland’s Trusts Arena.
The performance sees her catapult to second in the world so far this year and, more importantly, puts her ahead of her training mates for the world championships, where New Zealand can only field two athletes in each event.
Two weeks ago, Ayris soared over 4.76m for third at an indoor meet in France, while McTaggart was over 4.70m to match McCartney’s outdoor mark at the Auckland championships that same weekend.
All three have reached the qualifying standard, but nations are limited to just two entries.
Ayris took bronze at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, while McTaggart won the prestigious London Diamond League meet last year.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
