Perth's Olympic gold medallist Nina Kennedy is set to make a highly anticipated return to top-level competition after more than a year away from the sport. The star pole vaulter will compete at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne in late March, marking her first major event since recovering from a series of hamstring injuries.
Overcoming Injury Setbacks
Kennedy's journey back to the runway has been challenging. The athlete underwent surgery early last year to address a hamstring issue, successfully recovered, but then suffered damage to the same muscle in a different area just weeks before the 2025 world championships. This unfortunate timing prevented her from defending the title she famously shared with American Katie Moon in 2023.
"Getting so close to the world championships in 2025 and then getting injured two weeks out was really difficult," Kennedy revealed. "It was such an anti-climactic way to end a turbulent year."
Motivation and Future Goals
Despite these setbacks, Kennedy remains driven by unfinished business and ambitious targets for the coming years. "I have a lot of unfinished business and goals I want to achieve in the next three years, so naturally that's motivating me," she said. "I'm super excited to showcase pole vault to the crowd in Melbourne because it's a fascinating event and so entertaining to watch."
The athlete emphasized that while she feels no pressure to prove anything, her dedication to training will be evident. "I don't have anything to prove, but my team and I have worked really hard and I'm excited for my performances to reflect that."
Competitive Field in Melbourne
Kennedy's return won't be an easy victory lap. She'll face formidable competition from American twins Amanda and Hana Moll, both 20-year-old rising stars who compete for the University of Washington. The sisters shared sixth place in last year's world championships, and Amanda Moll matched Kennedy's career-best jump of 4.91 meters in Indianapolis last year, placing her among the top ten women's vaulters in history.
"I'm so excited for the opportunity to compete in Australia, especially knowing it's where the 2032 Olympics will be held," Amanda Moll said. "Nina is an incredible competitor, so I know the competition will be exciting, and I can't wait!"
Her sister Hana, who won gold at the 2022 world athletics U20 championships, echoed the enthusiasm. "Getting the chance to jump against pros like Nina is always special and raises the level of competition in the best way. I'm really excited to travel to Australia for the first time."
Building Toward Major Events
Kennedy views the Maurie Plant Meet as a crucial stepping stone toward defending her Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow this July and August. The 28-year-old, who set her personal best in Zurich in 2023, has her sights firmly set on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, with Brisbane 2032 remaining a possibility.
"Katie (Moon) is 34 right now, and she's still winning. So look, who knows? Seven years is such a long time away," Kennedy noted regarding her future plans. "My sights are set on LA and we'll see what happens after that."
Event Details and Significance
The 2026 Maurie Plant Meet, scheduled for March 28, holds particular importance as the first of twelve World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meets for the year. These events rank just below the prestigious Diamond League in status, attracting elite international competitors.
Kennedy last competed at a high-level event in September 2024 at a Diamond League meet in Rome, just one month after making history as the first Australian woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event. Her return promises to be a significant moment for Australian athletics fans.
