European bronze medallist and former World indoor champion Molly Caudery heads into the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo believing she can challenge both the British record and the world’s best in the pole vault.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise in recent years leading to two major medals and a national record of 4.92m in 2024.
But there was heartbreak at the Paris Olympic Games where she went in as world leader, but then failed to clear a height.
Consistency key
Although, she has yet to produce record-breaking form so far this year, there have been consistent clearances at 4.80m and 4.85m which auger well for a medal tilt in Tokyo.
“Looking at past competitions and the kind of marks that have got on the podium in previous competitions, there’s always a mark around 4.80m,” she explained. to BBC Sport “But with pole vault it could be 4.90m-plus if the conditions are great and it could be 4.70m if it’s raining or windy out there.”
While she acknowledges the unpredictability of the event – especially given her Olympic experience - Caudery is confident she has the ability to contend for silverware. “Of course the main goal is get through qualification,” she said.
“I was so focused on the final last year and getting that Olympic medal and I think I just got caught up in that. This year it’s about staying in the present, getting through to the final and then seeing what I can do from there.”