Molly Caudery: The Rising Star Aiming too Redefine Women’s Pole Vaulting
Molly Caudery is rapidly becoming a name to watch in the world of pole vaulting. The Cornish athlete is poised to defend her World Indoor Championship title in Nanjing, and her sights are set even higher – towards the elusive five-meter mark and perhaps, Yelena Isinbaeva‘s longstanding world record. This article delves into Caudery’s journey, her strategic decisions, and her ambitious goals for the future.
A Strategic Focus on Nanjing 2024
Caudery made a intentional choice to forgo the European Indoor Championships. This decision wasn’t about avoiding competition, but about optimizing her readiness for the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing. The women’s pole vault final in Nanjing presents a unique challenge, beginning at 02:10 GMT on Saturday, and will be broadcast live on the BBC.
Overcoming Adversity: A History of Resilience
Her dedication is particularly impressive considering her history with injuries.Caudery has battled back from numerous setbacks, including a severe gym accident in 2021 that nearly resulted in the loss of a finger. Currently, she’s managing a minor calf strain, a testament to her commitment to careful training and recovery.
Dominating the Indoor Season
February saw Caudery achieve a significant milestone. She cleared 4.85m in Madrid,securing the overall World Indoor Tour Gold title. this jump is five centimeters higher than any of her 12 competitors have achieved this season, and notably, the competition is missing the entire Olympic podium.
Confident Heading into the Championships
“Nothing is a given but if I go out there and jump my best I can hopefully retain my title, which is what I’m going out there to do,” Caudery stated. She acknowledges the exciting shift in her career, moving from an emerging athlete to a seasoned competitor.
Nanjing: A Stepping Stone to Tokyo and Beyond
The Nanjing championships represent a crucial test as Caudery prepares for the World Championships in Tokyo this September. This year promises to be pivotal, building on the momentum of her previous successes.
The Pursuit of Five Meters and a World Record
As Armand duplantis continues to break barriers in the men’s event, Caudery believes she can also push the boundaries of women’s pole vaulting. She’s focused on joining the exclusive five-meter club – a feat accomplished by only four women in history.
Ultimately, her ambition extends to challenging Yelena Isinbaeva’s world record of 5.06m, which has stood for nearly 16 years.
Within Reach: A New Viewpoint on Height
Caudery and her team have shifted their focus away from fixating on specific heights. However, she acknowledges being remarkably close to the five-meter mark. Currently ranked seventh on the all-time list, she feels this milestone is now attainable.
“We’ve never focused too much on heights, but I’m really close to that five-meter mark now and that’s a really big thing,” she explained.
Looking ahead with Excitement
The indoor season’s challenges have only fueled her determination. Caudery is eager to return to full health, compete consistently, and take multiple attempts at clearing five meters.
“I probably could have given it a good go [during this indoor season], and that’s been taken away from me,” she said. “I’m just excited to get back to being healthy, competing a lot and having more attempts at five metres.”
The prospect of challenging the world record is incredibly motivating. “just having these conversations is so exciting,” caudery added,signaling a thrilling future for this rising star in pole vaulting.