Arkansas alumni Sandi Morris and Tina Šutej secured podium finishes in the pole vault final at the World Championships held at Japan National Stadium in Tokyo on Wednesday. Morris achieved a season-best clearance of 15 feet, 11 inches (4.85 meters) to claim the silver medal, while Šutej earned bronze with a mark of 15 feet, 9 inches (4.80 meters).
“I’m happy with the night,” stated Morris. “Of course, I wanted the gold medal. I gave it my best effort, but I can’t be disappointed with a season’s best and getting back on the podium.
“I’ve made it through injuries and overcame so much over the last few years. I’ve sacrificed so much to get back to this place. So, it’s better to be walking away with another silver medal and there’s a lot worst things in the world than a silver medal at the World Championships.”
Katie Moon defended her world title by clearing 16-0.75 (4.90), repeating her top finish from previous championships in 2022 and 2023. Moon and Morris repeated their one-two result from Eugene in 2022.
Moon’s victory brings her total of World Outdoor gold medals to three, equaling Russia’s Yelena Isinbayeva, who won titles in 2005, 2007, and 2013. With this result, Morris has now collected four silver medals at World Outdoor Championships—matching Isinbayeva’s tally of four pole vault medals overall.
During the final, all three medalists cleared their first attempts at both 14-7.25 (4.45) and 15-3 (4.65). At 15-7 (4.75), Moon and Morris advanced on their first try; Šutej needed three attempts for that height.
Moon moved ahead with a first-attempt clearance at 15-9 (4.80), while both Morris and Šutej required two tries to advance past that bar. A successful first attempt by Morris at 15-11 put her temporarily into the lead as Moon missed once before moving up to attempt higher bars.
Amalie Svabikova of Czech Republic was unable to surpass Šutej after missing twice at 15-9 and failing again at her final attempt on a higher bar, ensuring Šutej would secure bronze after not clearing any further heights.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” noted Šutej. “The last World Championships I was in fourth place. Finally getting a medal feels amazing.
“I cleared 4.75 on a third attempt, because all the jumps I made were on different poles. My first attempt my pole was too soft. I went up a pole and it was soft again. I took a pole that I haven’t jumped on for the past two years. I told myself your fast on the runway, so I have to go all in. At 4.80 I did an ever better jump and that’s the jump I’m most happy about.”
Morris reflected on sharing this moment with her fellow Arkansas alum: “That was so special, absolutely. I was just talking with her about Coach Compton and going to Arkansas together. It’s such a bond that we will carry with us forever. It’s really special to see her finally get the medal that she deserves at a World Outdoor Championship, and I’m so happy for her.”
At the final height of 16-0.75 (4.90), Moon succeeded on her second try while Morris missed twice before passing remaining attempts for one shot at an even higher bar.
“When I went to attempt 4.90, I knew I was going to have to make it to seal the deal,” noted Morris. “I gave 4.90 my best shot. My second attempt was really good, if I got a little more bar love it might have stayed. But it wasn’t meant to be.
“We put the bar to 4.95 and I didn’t quite have time to get recovered to try to give my best attempt.” She added: “I’m not very happy with my attempt at that height to be honest. I did give it my best effort, and that’s the sport.”
