Silver for Eliza McCartney at Commonwealth Games

Eliza McCartney was unable to fulfil the expectation of a gold medal in the pole vault that New Zealand was looking for at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

In a great battle with Alysha Newman, McCartney had to finally accept the silver medal after Newman cleared 4.75m in her first attempt. The Rio Olympic bronze medallist missed her first attempt at 4.75m and bypassed her other two opportunities at this height and went straight to 4.80m which she missed with her two remaining attempts. Newman was unable to clear 4.80m at her first attempt and after McCartney had missed retired with the gold medal and a Games record of 4.75m. Nina Kennedy of Australia was third with 4.60m.

McCartney who has a best of 4.82m said it was a good competition.

"I knew I would have to fight really hard to get in the medals and do well. I got out there and I gave it my all and it got me second and I cant even be disappointed with the medal and Im happy.

"I think the disappointment comes from those last attempts at 4.80m, I certainly hit the height and I definitely know I can clear those heights so it was a little disappointing I couldnt pull it out today," she said.

"I was on the biggest poles Ive ever used and I wasnt quite getting around them enough which is quite difficult with the big poles," she added.

McCartney said she knew Newman was capable of winning.

"Alysha was really jumping well today and I also know that she is a good competitor, she just fires it when she competes and so it was not unexpected and Im glad she was jumping the best she could as that is amazing for her and regardless of what she jumped I was still focussing on the bigger heights that I wanted to get. If Id jumped 4.80, 85, 90 I wouldnt have cared if Id come second at all. If theres any disappointment it comes from how I was jumping not from the placing."

New Zealands other competitor in the pole vault 18 year old Olivia McTaggart finished ninth with a height of 4.30m.

The former national junior and youth champion had come back from injury, injuring her ankle during the warm up at the New Zealand championships in Hamilton last month.

"I was really close to my PB, it was really hard not to get that, but considering my build up Im really happy, I cant complain.

"The atmosphere was crazy, and Im so proud of Eliza getting that second, it was so awesome to see. It ended up to be a really tough competition and it was good to be part of it.

"My opening height 3.85m was nice and easy, four metres was a little bit scary and I had to get it second attempt and then 4.15m and on from there I felt a lot more confident, and the 4.30m where the bar just stayed there.

"It was really hard at the 4.40m as Ive been going for that PB for so long, it is my PB. So considering my injuries and everything that Ive been through Im just so proud to be here," said McTaggart.

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Athletics New Zealand