Pole vaulter Holly Bleasdale - a new 2012 Olympic medal prospect
Last updated 1/23/2012 10:25:16 AM
Pole vaulter Holly Bleasdale - a new 2012 Olympic medal prospect
Pole vaulter Holly Bleasdale suddenly added her name to the list of genuine Olympic medal potentials when she joined the worlds best in Lyon, smashed her own British indoor record and moved to second on the all-time world list with a clearance of 4.87m in Lyon.
The 20-year-old not only smashed her own British indoor record but took the lead in the world rankings with only world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva ahead of her in the all time lists.
It was a staggering leap to fame as she first improved her own record by a single centimetre in going over at 4.72m, and then managed 4.80m at the first attempt. She then cleared 4.87m at the third attempt to win the event and take over the lead in the world rankings.
Only Isinbayeva of Russia has gone higher, with a clearance of 5m. In attempting to beat that record, Bleasdale failed to clear 5.01m, but was nonetheless rightly satisfied with what she achieved in France.
It is the best performance by a British jumper since Ashia Hansen broke the world indoor triple jump record in 1998.
Her winning height of 4.87m would have won all but one of the women's world titles in history, and, remarkably, is a height that only 26 British men achieved last year.
Next on the shopping list are the world indoor championships in March in Istanbul, as a further build up to her tilt for an Olympic medal
"I just lay still on the bed [mat] in astonishment. The crowd was absolutely electric and this was an amazing boost," she said.
"Everyone was on their feet shouting, and when I attempted 5.01m the atmosphere was just out of this world. I've never experienced it like that before."
She has vowed to be more focused should she ever have the opportunity to try for the world record in the future.
"I ran through twice and had one good attempt," she said.
"I was lucky to have the chance to attempt a world record but next time I will be more mentally prepared."
Bleasdale only took up the event four years ago after spells in gymnastics, hurdles and heptathlon, and she immediately enjoyed an outstanding season in 2011 had an outstanding 2011 season, when she broke the British record twice and also won the European Under-23 title in July.
Her only set back was failing to register a height in qualifying at last year's World Championships in Daegu.
It was a clean sweep for the British in France as Bleasdale beat former British record holder Kate Dennison into second place, with fellow Sally Peake third.
Top five women's indoor pole vaulters
Elena Isinbayeva (Russia) - 5.01m (2009)
Holly Bleasdale (GB) - 4.87m (2012)
Jennifer Suhr (USA) - 4.86m (2011)
Svetlana Feofanova (Russia) - 4.85m (2004)
Anna Rogowska (Poland) - 4.85m (2011)
The World Indoor Championships take place in Istanbul, Turkey from 9-11 March.