Parnova Earns PB and Championship Record in Townsville

Published On: 1 July 2019

Liz Parnova produced a standout effort to break her own personal best and claim a new Oceania Championship record in winning the women’s pole vault in Townsville with a clearance at 4.60m.

Competing against a small field of athletes, Parnova’s competition was short but sweet. She cleared 4.35m and 4.50m on her opening attempts, before eclipsing her previous best of 4.56m on her third attempt at the Championship record height to spark jubilant celebrations for the 25 year-old.

“I’m so happy, I don’t even know what to say right now!” Parnova exclaimed post competition.

“The 4.60m clearance felt so good, the jump itself I can’t describe it. I just closed my eyes and tried to do the best jump that I could, and it ended up being perfect.”

The height was not unfamiliar to her.

“I attempted 4.60m twice in the last few weeks, so I really wanted to get it today.”

It has been a record-breaking year for Parnova.

“It’s been my third PB this year – I jumped 4.56m during the Australian summer and then I rolled my ankle, making it a really difficult road back. But I am just so happy that I have been able to piece everything together and I’m really looking forward to the European summer now.”

 

Her vault moved her from sixth to equal fourth on the Australian all-time list, passing just one athlete – her Aunty Tatiana Grigorieva, who was watching on at the competition.

“It makes me extremely happy. She has done a really good job,” said Grigorieva.

“I was watching from a coaching perspective, and the way she executed this competition was absolutely fabulous. She warmed up well, had a long wait, good opening height and just how she progressed and improved her PB was absolutely amazing. I’m sure there is a lot more coming from Liz.”

NZL’s Olivia McTaggart was second with 4.25m and Sunshine Coast Commonwealth Games vaulter Lisa Campbell third on 4.10m.

On the track, 2018 Commonwealth Games representative Brianna Beahan took line honours in the women’s 100m hurdles final.

Her time of 13.30secs will see her head to the up-coming Pacific Games in good form and confidence.

David Tarbotton for Athletics Australia