Renault LaVillini and Valerie Adams return to the top of the world

28.02.2021

| Clermont Ferrand / Auckland

Nicholas Walter

While Renault LaVillini scored his third best attempt in his career by scoring 6.06 meters at the pole vault meeting in France on Saturday, two-time shooting Olympic champion Valerie Adams said she was back in Auckland with a staggering 19.65 meters.

It was the weekend to revitalize. On Saturday at the “All Star Birch” pole vault meeting in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Renault Lavelini (France) reported 6.06 meters in the absolute top of the world. It was the 34-year-old’s best jump in nearly seven years and his third best jump ever. Shortly before that, twice Olympic champion put in the shot Valerie Adams (New Zealand) had responded forcefully. At 19.65 meters at a meeting in Auckland, it made its longest push in nearly five years.

Renaud Lavillenie last jumped higher in 2014 when he broke the world record of 6.16 meters. Meanwhile, the Swedish Mundo Duplants holds this (6.18 m). Lavilney beat heights of 5.70m and 5.86m on Saturday without any problems on the first attempt. After two unsuccessful attempts, the 2012 Olympics champion finally jumped 6.06 meters on the third attempt – and even managed to put some distance between himself and the bar.

He then set a new world record height of 6.20 meters, but failed. Secondly, the Dutch Mino Flon, who achieved 5.96 meters was an improvement on the Dutch indoor record by 15 cm. And American Chris Nielsen won third place, with a difference of 5.86 meters. Valentin Lavelini, Raynaud’s younger brother, failed this height after previously mastering the 5.80 m.

Valerie Adams as much as she was five years ago

In the women’s race, British Holly Bradshaw won by 4.78 meters. In second place was the Belarusian Irina Jok, who skipped 4.73 meters on the third attempt, but could not improve after that. Complete the Canadian podium, Alisha Newman, who jumped 4.60 meters.

In addition to Renaud Lavillenie, four-time world champion Valerie Adams made a great comeback on Saturday. The 36-year-old in Auckland (New Zealand) explained that she can be expected to participate in the Olympic year. Having reached 18.68 meters on the first attempt, I encountered a solid height of 19.65 meters on the second attempt – you hadn’t pushed that far in nearly five years.

Tom Walsh ends the negative streak

Valerie Adams also solidified her strong form in later attempts. At 19.31 meters and 19.14 meters, the last attempt was followed by 19.36 meters. “I’m very happy. The smile won’t disappear anytime soon. I definitely feel like I’m old again,” she was posted on the IAAF website after her victory. Behind Adams, Madison Wish (New Zealand), the U-20 world champion, finished second, with a difference of 18.12 meters.

In the men’s competition, Tom Walsh, third World Cup title (New Zealand), coaching partner of Valerie Adams, managed to end his negative streak against Jaco Gil. The 28-year-old has recently stayed behind his compatriot in four successive competitions. With 21.60 meters, Tom Walsh managed to push his opponent into second place for the first time this year. The best attempt for the Jaco Gil was at 21.44 meters.