Commonwealth Games 2018: Kurtis Marschall’s giant leap to be next athletics star

Pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall last night beat former world champion Shawn Barber to win the men’s gold medal.

Kurtis Marschall clears the bar at 5.70m on his third attempt in the pole vault final last night, celebrating as he falls to the mat. Picture: Getty Images

Pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall last night launched himself into the national consciousness as Australia’s next athletics star by beating former world champion Shawn Barber to win the Commonwealth Games gold medal.

“Everyone told me the crowd was unreal but I didn’t believe it,” the 20-year-old said. “Then, first jump, opening height and I couldn’t even hear myself think. I managed to gradually get into the comp, use the crowd, it was absolutely unreal.”

It was a night for youth and experience in the Australian team as discus queen Dani Stevens won her second consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal with a massive throw of 68.26m, her best on Australian soil. For the second consecutive night, Australia’s field athletes delivered, following javelin thrower Kathryn Mitchell, high jumper Brandon Starc and para shot-putter Cameron Crombie, who all won gold medals on Wednesday night. Long jumper Brooke Stratton went agonisingly close to joining them, falling 8cm short of victory

In three years competing at senior level, Marschall has shown an extraordinary ability to thrive on the international stage and he claimed the spotlight as his own at Carrara Stadium last night.

The pole vault competition always seemed likely to be a shootout between Marschall and Canada’s Barber, the two best-­credentialled men in the field, and so it became. They were the only ones to clear 5.55m, at which point Marschall had the upper hand with a second attempt clearance.

Barber cleared 5.65m on the first attempt to move into the lead but Marschall matched him to draw level as they went to 5.70m.

Barber missed his three attempts leaving Marschall with one last chance to take the gold medal on his third attempt.

As he prepared to take his shot his rhythm was interrupted by a medal ceremony. But it did not disrupt his focus. With 35,000 people cheering him, he launched himself into the heavens and cleared the bar to clinch his first major championship.

“Third attempt, man, I’ve never been in that situation before, going for the gold. I’ve learned from past mistakes and I knew how to do it so I just executed my processes, kept a cool head, used the crowd and it worked,’’ he said.