Nina Kennedy hopes there are big things to come in the next few months after an impressive return to competition at the Jandakot Airport Track Classic on Saturday night.
Kennedy took out the women’s pole vault at the her home event at the WA Athletics Stadium after clearing 4.50m at her second attempt after entering the competition at 4.37m.
The 22-year-old was delighted with her performance after her 2019 was largely ruined by injuries
“It’s my first comp off a full approach in a year and a half, so to come out and jump something which is considered really bloody good, I’m so stoked,” Kennedy said. “It’s 21cm off my PB, but to come out and do that, I’m just super happy.
“It’s my first comp. I have so many more in the next two months – Canberra, Sydney, New Zealand, a couple more in Perth – so one, two, three, you know, I get my confidence and hopefully some big things to come.”
The 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist fell just short in attempts to clear 4.60m.
“I’m on the runway and I know I can clear these bars so I don’t think it’s a confidence, it’s just a technical thing,” Kennedy said. “I haven’t jumped in a long time so I’m working out my poles, working out my grips, working out my approaches so everything is coming together and hopefully big things in the next couple of weeks.”
Kennedy said it was exciting to be able to do what she loves in Perth again.
“Oh my god, it was so good,” she said. “I’ve literally missed competing so much. And all my friends came down and my family. So to just look up in the crowd and also compete with my teammates, I am so happy to be back.
“I’ve learnt so much in competition, which you can’t get in training. I’ve walked away with a few things heading into Canberra.”
The Canberra Track Classic is on February 13, but Kennedy said there is a possibility she could compete again in Perth prior to that.
.@ninakennedy_ has taken out the women’s pole vault at the Jandakot Airport Track Classic at the WA Athletics Stadium tonight, clearing 4.50m 👏. Stay tuned for more. #athletics #summersuperseries#TeamEmageo pic.twitter.com/8v4gfATYo6
— Emageo Group (@EmageoGroup) February 1, 2020