Armand Duplantis’s world record rightfully stole the spotlight, but the true nature of pole vaulting revealed itself in a brief moment from Monday’s epic men’s final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Kurtis Marschall was moments away from his second world championship medal, and Australia’s first in Tokyo. It was 10.09pm, and his final rival for bronze stood at the top of the runway. American Sam Kendricks – then in fourth behind the Australian – had his pole over his shoulder eyeing a clearance that would slide Marschall off the podium.
