Latest news with #NicolaOlyslagers


The Guardian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
‘It's pretty sick': Claudia Hollingsworth breaks Australian 800m record
The rising middle-distance star Claudia Hollingsworth has smashed the Australian 800m record in a clear statement of intent a month out from the world athletics championships in Tokyo. The 20-year-old Victorian stopped the clock at 1min 57.67sec in a red-hot women's 800m won by Britain's Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson at the Diamond League meet in Silesia. High jumper Nicola Olyslagers and pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall recorded podium finishes, but the standout performance came from Hollingsworth, who consigned Catriona Bisset's previous Australian mark of 1min 57.78sec to history. 'It's pretty sick,' said an elated Hollingsworth. 'To come down the home straight and not be sure but to look up at the big screen and see it was really exciting. 'To share it with Abbey (Caldwell) and Catriona was so special, having three Aussies in a race like this is awesome. 'I got into this mentality that they are quick races now and if you want it to be quick, you have to be in it to win it. 'I'm trying to be more aggressive and try different ways of racing leading into Tokyo because those heats are going to be quick leading into the semis and hopefully the final.' Caldwell was just behind the fifth-placed Hollingsworth in 1min 57.70sec – also quicker than Bisset's previous record. The pair have been pre-selected to run the two-lap event at the world titles, with one vacancy still up for grabs. Two-time Olympic high jump silver medallist Olyslagers made a strong return to competition after a six-week layoff, finishing second with a best clearance of 1.97m behind only reigning Olympic and world champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh (2m). Marschall – the pole vault bronze medallist at the 2023 world titles in Budapest – finished in a tie for third at 5.90m as he continues to flirt with the elusive 6m barrier. Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion The peerless world record-holder Armand Duplantis from Sweden won the event with 6.10m ahead of Greece's Emmanouil Karalis, with Marschall and Dutchman Menno Vloon tying for third. 'I had a bit of a tummy issue in the last couple of days, so to come away with a 5.90 on a scrappy day, I'm very happy,' Marschall said. Paris Olympics 1500m silver medallist Jessica Hull took on the unusual role of pacemaker for her rival and friend Faith Kipyegon, who was attempting to break the longstanding 3000m world record. The Kenyan went agonisingly close before being forced to settle for the second-fastest time in history of 8min 7.04sec in a race she won by almost half a minute. The world record of 8min 6.11sec set by China's Wang Junxia dates way back to 1993. Rose Davies was the first Australian across the line in fourth spot in 8mind 36.53sec. In other Australian action in Silesia, Linden Hall was sixth in the women's 1500m and Cam Myers and 2022 Commonwealth champion Olli Hoare were sixth and eighth respectively in the men's 1500m.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
New national record for Australian middle-distance star
Rising middle-distance star Claudia Hollingsworth has smashed the Australian 800m record in a clear statement of intent a month out from the world athletics championships in Tokyo. The 20-year-old Victorian stopped the clock at one minute 57.67 seconds in a red-hot women's 800m won by Britain's Olympic champ Keely Hodgkinson at the Diamond League meet in Silesia. High jumper Nicola Olyslagers and pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall recorded podium finishes, but the standout performance came from Hollingsworth, who consigned Catriona Bisset's previous Australian mark of 1:57.78 to history. "It's pretty sick," said an elated Hollingsworth. "To come down the home straight and not be sure but to look up at the big screen and see it was really exciting. "To share it with Abbey (Caldwell) and Catriona was so special, having three Aussies in a race like this is awesome. "I got into this mentality that they are quick races now and if you want it to be quick, you have to be in it to win it. "I'm trying to be more aggressive and try different ways of racing leading into Tokyo because those heats are going to be quick leading into the semis and hopefully the final." Caldwell was just behind the fifth-placed Hollingsworth in 1:57.70 - also quicker than Bisset's previous record. The pair have been pre-selected to run the two-lap event at the world titles, with one vacancy still up for grabs. Two-time Olympic high jump silver medallist Olyslagers made a strong return to competition after a six-week layoff, finishing second with a best clearance of 1.97m behind only reigning Olympic and world champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh (2m). Marschall - the pole vault bronze medallist at the 2023 world titles in Budapest - finished in a tie for third at 5.90m early on Sunday (AEST) as he continues to flirt with the elusive 6m barrier. Peerless world record holder Armand Duplantis from Sweden won the event with 6.10m ahead of Greece's Emmanouil Karalis, with Marschall and Dutchman Menno Vloon tying for third. "I had a bit of a tummy issue in the last couple of days, so to come away with a 5.90 on a scrappy day, I'm very happy," said Marschall. Paris Olympics 1500m silver medallist Jessica Hull took on the unusual role of pacemaker for her great rival and friend Faith Kipyegon, who was attempting to break the longstanding 3000m world record. The legendary Kenyan went agonisingly close before being forced to settle for the second fastest time in history of 8:07.04 in a race she won by almost half a minute. The world record of 8:06.11 set by China's Wang Junxia dates way back to 1993. Rose Davies was the first Australian across the line in fourth spot in 8:36.53. In other Australian action in Silesia, Linden Hall was sixth in the women's 1500m and Cam Myers and 2022 Commonwealth champ Olli Hoare were sixth and eighth respectively in the men's 1500m.


New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Mahuchikh pips Olyslagers in Silesia Diamond League high jump
CHORZOW: Ukraine's Olympic and world champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh notched up her 22nd Diamond League victory in a high jump shoot-out with Australian Nicola Olyslagers in Katowice on Friday. The women's high jump was one of three disciplines along with the women's shot put and women's pole vault that were held in the main square of the southwestern Polish city. The main Silesia Diamond League meet will be held in neighbouring Chorzow on Saturday, when Olympic champion Noah Lyles goes head-to-head with Jamaica's Kishane Thompson in a much-anticipated re-match of last year's Paris Games 100m final. The high jump predictably turned into a battle between the two clear favourites. Mahuchikh cleared 2.00 metres at her second attempt to heap the pressure on her Australian rival, the two-time defending indoor champion who won silver medals at the last two Olympics. But it proved to be too much and Olyslagers had to be content with second place in 1.97m behind the world record holder who has now bagged three wins on the circuit this season. Germany's Imke Onnen was a distant third with a best of 1.91m. Only three other jumpers of the 10-strong field made the 1.88m mark in blistering heat and in front of a big crowd packed into temporary stands. Jessica Schilder of the Netherlands wrapped up victory in the women's shot put with a best of 19.66m on her fifth of six attempts. The two-time European champion saw off competition from Germany's reigning Olympic champion Yemisi Ogunleye (19.50m), with American Maggie Ewen rounding out the podium, a further centimetre adrift. Victory in the pole vault went to France's Marie-Julie Bonnin, who managed a best of 4.70m. She failed three times at what would have been a new personal best of 4.77m.


The Advertiser
21-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Leap of faith: Olyslagers soars to gold in Paris
Moments after leaving her rivals in her wake in the Diamond League yet again, Nicola Olyslagers set the bar even higher. Australia's high-jumping royalty leapt to gold under the Parisian sky on Friday, rising over 2.00m to claim back-to-back gold medals on the world's premier athletics circuit. It was her second jump that made the difference, relegating Ukrainian world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh to second and compatriot Eleanor Patterson to bronze. But despite her seventh success overall after her most recent win in Stockholm, Olyslagers is not entirely happy. "Tonight was great, it was the first time we jumped so late (at night), so for mindset it can be difficult," she said. "I'm very thankful for another two-metre jump, but I really want a personal best, so we keep training." The NSW jumper has her sights set on equalling or bettering her own national record of 2.03m, one of the goals motivating her for future meets. The dual Olympic silver medallist believes one way of improving is by getting stronger. "I tend to have very strong jumps in the first five jumps of the competition and then it slowly goes down. Potentially, I need to work a lot more on my muscles to stay strong as I'm running towards the bar." Opening her competition at 1.91m, the double world indoor champion says entering any later may not be worth the risk. "1.91 is very high! We need to work to find the best possibility, or some more training so I have the endurance to give my best at the end." Compatriot Patterson's third-place finish (1.97m) was her third Diamond League podium of 2025 and the Victorian is closing in on the two-metre barrier. In the women's 1500m, Linden Hall finished fourth in 3:57:63 to prevail in the domestic battle including Victorians Georgia Griffith (4:01:36) and Abbey Caldwell (4:01:86). Kenya's Nelly Chepchirchir won the race in 3:57.02. Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino outfought Salwa Eid Naser to win the women's 400m, while Grace Stark set a personal best to outgun Tobi Amusan in the women's 100m hurdles. Dominican Republic's Paulino needed a season's best time of 48.81, a new meeting record, as the world champion came from behind to pip Bahrain's Naser, who took silver at last year's Olympics. Nigeria's world record holder and 2022 world champion Amusan settled for second as the 24-year-old American Stark led from the start to win in 12.21 secs, knocking one tenth of a second off her personal best. Next stop in the Diamond League, which offers significant world ranking points, is in Eugene, Oregon, on July 5. with Reuters Moments after leaving her rivals in her wake in the Diamond League yet again, Nicola Olyslagers set the bar even higher. Australia's high-jumping royalty leapt to gold under the Parisian sky on Friday, rising over 2.00m to claim back-to-back gold medals on the world's premier athletics circuit. It was her second jump that made the difference, relegating Ukrainian world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh to second and compatriot Eleanor Patterson to bronze. But despite her seventh success overall after her most recent win in Stockholm, Olyslagers is not entirely happy. "Tonight was great, it was the first time we jumped so late (at night), so for mindset it can be difficult," she said. "I'm very thankful for another two-metre jump, but I really want a personal best, so we keep training." The NSW jumper has her sights set on equalling or bettering her own national record of 2.03m, one of the goals motivating her for future meets. The dual Olympic silver medallist believes one way of improving is by getting stronger. "I tend to have very strong jumps in the first five jumps of the competition and then it slowly goes down. Potentially, I need to work a lot more on my muscles to stay strong as I'm running towards the bar." Opening her competition at 1.91m, the double world indoor champion says entering any later may not be worth the risk. "1.91 is very high! We need to work to find the best possibility, or some more training so I have the endurance to give my best at the end." Compatriot Patterson's third-place finish (1.97m) was her third Diamond League podium of 2025 and the Victorian is closing in on the two-metre barrier. In the women's 1500m, Linden Hall finished fourth in 3:57:63 to prevail in the domestic battle including Victorians Georgia Griffith (4:01:36) and Abbey Caldwell (4:01:86). Kenya's Nelly Chepchirchir won the race in 3:57.02. Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino outfought Salwa Eid Naser to win the women's 400m, while Grace Stark set a personal best to outgun Tobi Amusan in the women's 100m hurdles. Dominican Republic's Paulino needed a season's best time of 48.81, a new meeting record, as the world champion came from behind to pip Bahrain's Naser, who took silver at last year's Olympics. Nigeria's world record holder and 2022 world champion Amusan settled for second as the 24-year-old American Stark led from the start to win in 12.21 secs, knocking one tenth of a second off her personal best. Next stop in the Diamond League, which offers significant world ranking points, is in Eugene, Oregon, on July 5. with Reuters Moments after leaving her rivals in her wake in the Diamond League yet again, Nicola Olyslagers set the bar even higher. Australia's high-jumping royalty leapt to gold under the Parisian sky on Friday, rising over 2.00m to claim back-to-back gold medals on the world's premier athletics circuit. It was her second jump that made the difference, relegating Ukrainian world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh to second and compatriot Eleanor Patterson to bronze. But despite her seventh success overall after her most recent win in Stockholm, Olyslagers is not entirely happy. "Tonight was great, it was the first time we jumped so late (at night), so for mindset it can be difficult," she said. "I'm very thankful for another two-metre jump, but I really want a personal best, so we keep training." The NSW jumper has her sights set on equalling or bettering her own national record of 2.03m, one of the goals motivating her for future meets. The dual Olympic silver medallist believes one way of improving is by getting stronger. "I tend to have very strong jumps in the first five jumps of the competition and then it slowly goes down. Potentially, I need to work a lot more on my muscles to stay strong as I'm running towards the bar." Opening her competition at 1.91m, the double world indoor champion says entering any later may not be worth the risk. "1.91 is very high! We need to work to find the best possibility, or some more training so I have the endurance to give my best at the end." Compatriot Patterson's third-place finish (1.97m) was her third Diamond League podium of 2025 and the Victorian is closing in on the two-metre barrier. In the women's 1500m, Linden Hall finished fourth in 3:57:63 to prevail in the domestic battle including Victorians Georgia Griffith (4:01:36) and Abbey Caldwell (4:01:86). Kenya's Nelly Chepchirchir won the race in 3:57.02. Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino outfought Salwa Eid Naser to win the women's 400m, while Grace Stark set a personal best to outgun Tobi Amusan in the women's 100m hurdles. Dominican Republic's Paulino needed a season's best time of 48.81, a new meeting record, as the world champion came from behind to pip Bahrain's Naser, who took silver at last year's Olympics. Nigeria's world record holder and 2022 world champion Amusan settled for second as the 24-year-old American Stark led from the start to win in 12.21 secs, knocking one tenth of a second off her personal best. Next stop in the Diamond League, which offers significant world ranking points, is in Eugene, Oregon, on July 5. with Reuters Moments after leaving her rivals in her wake in the Diamond League yet again, Nicola Olyslagers set the bar even higher. Australia's high-jumping royalty leapt to gold under the Parisian sky on Friday, rising over 2.00m to claim back-to-back gold medals on the world's premier athletics circuit. It was her second jump that made the difference, relegating Ukrainian world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh to second and compatriot Eleanor Patterson to bronze. But despite her seventh success overall after her most recent win in Stockholm, Olyslagers is not entirely happy. "Tonight was great, it was the first time we jumped so late (at night), so for mindset it can be difficult," she said. "I'm very thankful for another two-metre jump, but I really want a personal best, so we keep training." The NSW jumper has her sights set on equalling or bettering her own national record of 2.03m, one of the goals motivating her for future meets. The dual Olympic silver medallist believes one way of improving is by getting stronger. "I tend to have very strong jumps in the first five jumps of the competition and then it slowly goes down. Potentially, I need to work a lot more on my muscles to stay strong as I'm running towards the bar." Opening her competition at 1.91m, the double world indoor champion says entering any later may not be worth the risk. "1.91 is very high! We need to work to find the best possibility, or some more training so I have the endurance to give my best at the end." Compatriot Patterson's third-place finish (1.97m) was her third Diamond League podium of 2025 and the Victorian is closing in on the two-metre barrier. In the women's 1500m, Linden Hall finished fourth in 3:57:63 to prevail in the domestic battle including Victorians Georgia Griffith (4:01:36) and Abbey Caldwell (4:01:86). Kenya's Nelly Chepchirchir won the race in 3:57.02. Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino outfought Salwa Eid Naser to win the women's 400m, while Grace Stark set a personal best to outgun Tobi Amusan in the women's 100m hurdles. Dominican Republic's Paulino needed a season's best time of 48.81, a new meeting record, as the world champion came from behind to pip Bahrain's Naser, who took silver at last year's Olympics. Nigeria's world record holder and 2022 world champion Amusan settled for second as the 24-year-old American Stark led from the start to win in 12.21 secs, knocking one tenth of a second off her personal best. Next stop in the Diamond League, which offers significant world ranking points, is in Eugene, Oregon, on July 5. with Reuters


The Guardian
21-06-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Nicola Olyslagers raises the bar with back-to-back Diamond League victories
Moments after leaving her rivals in her wake in the Diamond League yet again, Nicola Olyslagers set the bar even higher. Australia's high-jumping royalty leapt to gold under the Parisian sky on Friday, rising over 2.00m to claim back-to-back gold medals on the world's premier athletics circuit. It was her second jump that made the difference, relegating Ukrainian world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh to second and compatriot Eleanor Patterson to bronze. But despite her seventh success overall after her most recent win in Stockholm, Olyslagers is not entirely happy. 'Tonight was great, it was the first time we jumped so late (at night), so for mindset it can be difficult,' she said. 'I'm very thankful for another two-metre jump, but I really want a personal best, so we keep training.' The NSW jumper has her sights set on equalling or bettering her own national record of 2.03m, one of the goals motivating her for future meets. The dual Olympic silver medallist believes one way of improving is by getting stronger. At the top of her game tonight 🔥Nicola Olyslagers 🇦🇺 makes it another winning performance as her best jump of 2.00m gives her victory in Paris in the women's high jump.📸 Marta Gorczyńska for Diamond League AG#DiamondLeague 💎 #ParisDL 🇫🇷 'I tend to have very strong jumps in the first five jumps of the competition and then it slowly goes down,' Olyslagers said. 'Potentially, I need to work a lot more on my muscles to stay strong as I'm running towards the bar.' Opening her competition at 1.91m, the double world indoor champion says entering any later may not be worth the risk. '1.91 is very high,' she said. 'We need to work to find the best possibility, or some more training so I have the endurance to give my best at the end.' Compatriot Patterson's third-place finish (1.97m) was her third Diamond League podium of 2025 and the Victorian is closing in on the two-metre barrier. In the women's 1500m, Linden Hall finished fourth in 3:57:63 to prevail in the domestic battle including Victorians Georgia Griffith (4:01:36) and Abbey Caldwell (4:01:86). Kenya's Nelly Chepchirchir won the race in 3:57.02. Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino outfought Salwa Eid Naser to win the women's 400m, while Grace Stark set a personal best to outgun Tobi Amusan in the women's 100m hurdles. Dominican Republic's Paulino needed a season's best time of 48.81, a new meeting record, as the world champion came from behind to pip Bahrain's Naser, who took silver at last year's Olympics. Nigeria's world record holder and 2022 world champion Amusan settled for second as the 24-year-old American Stark led from the start to win in 12.21 secs, knocking one-tenth of a second off her personal best. Next stop in the Diamond League, which offers significant world ranking points, is in Eugene, Oregon, on 5 July.