Olympic Pole Vault Champion Kennedy Withdraws World Championships Due Injury

Australian Olympic gold medallist and defending world champion pole vaulter Nina Kennedy has withdrawn from the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo due to a strained muscle in her leg. Kennedy, who had undergone hamstring surgery earlier this year after multiple strains, described the injury as a "brutal" setback but noted it was not near the surgery site. Despite her disappointment, she expressed pride in her efforts to recover and compete, emphasizing that injuries are part of the athletic journey. Kennedy had been preparing to defend her world title and continue competing with aspirations toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and breaking the world record. Her withdrawal is a significant loss for the Australian team, although other top athletes like high jump favourite Nicola Olyslagers remain in contention. Additionally, other Australian athletes such as walker Jemima Montag and sprinter Lachlan Kennedy have also withdrawn from the championships due to injuries.