Teenage pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall has set a huge personal best to earn a start at the Rio Olympics as Australia's youth track and field stocks soar.
Marschall cleared 5.70m - 15cm higher than his previous best - to win at the Bauhaus Junioren Gala in Mannheim, Germany, as he prepares for the world under-20 championships next month.
The 19-year-old South Australian booked a ticket to debut for his country in senior ranks at the Rio Olympics in August as his Games qualifying height coupled with being national champion ensures his nomination.
"This is absolutely insane," said Marschall.
"I never expected to have a jump as big as the Rio standard in me this year.
"I've only attempted it a couple of times but this one was just perfect, everything about it was right.
"There was great conditions, I had my coach (Kym Simons) here with me, and it unfolded exactly as I wanted it too.
"To be on the road to Rio at 19 is something very special."
Marschall's achievement came just hours after 20-year-old Joel Baden of Victoria matched his high jump PB of 2.29m at the North Queensland Games in Cairns to ensure his Rio Games eligibility alongside already-selected Brandon Starc.
It also came after teen sprint star Jack Hale broke the national under 20 100m record with a 10.21s run in Mannheim as he also prepares for the world under-20 championships.
Marschall will now rapidly shift his focus back to medal success alongside the best junior athletes in the world at Bydgoszcz in Poland.
"It's a huge priority," he said.
"That's where I saw the highlight of my year coming from and I am pumped to compete there."
Share
