France’s European U23 champion Marie-Julie Bonnin rose to the occasion in the women’s pole vault at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing on Saturday (22), defying both technical delays and fierce competition.
After a pause caused by malfunctioning equipment at the Cube Arena, the 23-year-old cleared 4.75m to equal the French record and secure the gold medal in a final that tested her physical and mental endurance.
Slovenia's Tina Sutej took silver on countback against Switzerland’s recently crowned European indoor champion Angelica Moser while Great Britain’s defending champion Molly Caudery finished fourth.
Reflecting on her victory, Bonnin offered an insight into the emotional journey and tactical decisions that led to her success. "I can't believe it. It feels like a dream," she admitted. "I knew it was going to pass—I was holding the right pole, stiffer than usual, and I just knew it was the one."
Her confidence was the result of both intuition and rigorous training. “When I’m in good shape, I know I’ll clear it. We made the right choice, and I’m so proud of that."
The French athlete also acknowledged the toll of a long and demanding season. “There were many strong athletes here, and I expected them to be in great form. Jumping at the end of March was tough, but we made it,” she said, underlining the importance of perseverance.
She credited a pivotal coaching change for her transition from junior to senior competition. “The biggest change for me was my coach. After three years of struggling, I made the switch, and everything clicked,” she recalled.
Bonnin’s triumph carries greater significance beyond her own achievement. As a woman in athletics, she is keen to inspire the next generation, especially young girls and black athletes who may have few role models in pole vault. “It means so much to be a woman in athletics now, with the awareness growing around us,” she said. “I want to show young girls that we can have fun, we can enjoy sport, and we can jump high—even without much representation.”
Skotheim leads heptathlon after three events
Norway’s Sander Skotheim leads the way in the heptathlon after three events at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing.
The 22-year-old Norwegian delivered a standout performance in the long jump, soaring out to 8.00m – a distance rarely seen in combined events – to establish an early advantage over his rivals.
Skotheim has been in record-breaking form this season. In February, he set a new European heptathlon record with 6484 points in Tallinn before surpassing that mark at the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, amassing 6558 points to move to third on the world all-time list.
With four events still to come, Skotheim remains a strong contender for gold in Nanjing, with his versatility across the disciplines making him a formidable force.
Dosso dominates 60m heats in Nanjing
Italian sprinter Zaynab Dosso continued her scintillating indoor season by advancing to the 60m semi-finals at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing with the fastest heat time on Saturday (22).
Dosso, who has been in exceptional form throughout the indoor circuit, signalled her intent early in the year with a 7.08 clocking at the Belgrade Indoor Meeting in January. She carried this momentum into the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, storming to gold in a world-leading 7.01 - a new Italian record.
Maintaining her dominance on the global stage, Dosso clocked 7.09 in the heats, progressing comfortably to the semifinals. With her blend of explosive speed and championship experience, the Italian looks primed to challenge for the world indoor title.
Werro eyes 800m gold after strong semi-final display
Switzerland’s Audrey Werro is through to the 800m final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing after clocking the fastest time of the semifinals.
The Swiss middle-distance star, who set a national record of 1:57.76 in Bellinzona last year, is aiming for redemption after an unfortunate fall in the European indoor final in Apeldoorn cost her a shot at gold.
Werro, who reached the semifinals at last year’s World Indoor Championships, ran a controlled 2:01.11 to qualify for the final in Nanjing, reaffirming her status as one of the leading contenders for the title.
With her championship experience and proven ability to deliver on the big stage, Werro will be hoping to secure a maiden global title in the 800m final. Other notable qualifiers included European indoor champion Anna Wielgosz from Poland and reigning world indoor champion Tsige Duguma from Ethiopia.
Samuel Chapple, who won gold for the Netherlands in the 800m in Apeldoorn, also progressed through to the final in the men's event. He will be joined by the likes of Belgium's Eliott Crestan and Spain's Elvin Josue Canales who finished first and second respectively in the second 800m semifinal.