Nina Kennedy jumps season best to win Diamond League final

Nina Kennedy has saved her seasons best for last to produce a stellar performance to add 2022 Diamond League Champion to her successful season.

“I’m so happy with that,” said an elated Kennedy. “It was incredible. You know I came third at the World Championships and I won the Commonwealth Games. This is the season’s best. So to win the Diamond League it’s just the top of a perfect season.”

The 25-year-old WAIS scholarship holder passed at the opening height of 4.36m, before convincing jumps see her clear 4.51m and 4.61m on her first attempts. Kennedy needed two jumps to clear 4.71m putting the pressure on with Sandi Morris (United States) going clear.

The tables would turn at the next height with Kennedy clearing 4.76m on her second attempt, with Morris just scraping over on her third attempt.

Kennedy who is coached by WAIS Head Coach and 6m jumper Paul Burgess and James Fitzpatrick, let out a scream of delight, as she soared over 4.81 metres, for her second highest jump ever on her third attempt, to take the win with Morris unable to clear the height.

Kennedy said she feels like part of the next generation of vaulters with the best yet to come.

“The best girls in the world are getting into their 30 and I’m definitely one of the young ones so I feel like I’m kind of upcoming and I’m experiencing all these new things.

“I would obviously like love to jump into the nineties and then obviously the Paris Olympics are two years away now, so I’m gonna be definitely aiming for that gold medal.”

Her Diamond League final win follows an outstanding season that has seen her claim bronze at the World Championships, finish first or second at the four Diamond League meets she has contested as well as Commonwealth Games gold.

As the Diamond League winner, Kennedy has also secured automatic qualification for the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.