McTaggart and Walsh Shine at World Athletics Event in Budapest

New Zealand athletes delivered impressive performances at the latest World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series event held in Budapest. Pole vaulter Olivia McTaggart secured a second-place finish, clearing a height of 4.67 meters. She trailed behind Slovakia’s Tina Sutej, who achieved a winning height of 4.73 meters at the Istvan Gyulai Memorial. This event showcased a remarkable display of talent and determination from the competitors.

Just last month, McTaggart experienced a career highlight by winning the Diamond League event in London with a personal best of 4.73 meters. Fellow New Zealander Imogen Ayris also competed in Budapest, finishing sixth after clearing a height of 4.51 meters. The performances of both athletes illustrate the rising standard of athletics in New Zealand.

In the shot put event, New Zealand’s Tom Walsh also made headlines by securing second place with a throw of 21.52 meters. He was outperformed by American rival Joe Kovacs, who dominated the event with a best throw of 22.33 meters. Walsh’s consistent performance continues to solidify his position among the top athletes in the discipline.

Duplantis Sets New World Record

The competition in Budapest was further highlighted by the extraordinary achievements of Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis. He continued to push the boundaries of men’s pole vaulting by breaking his own world record with a clearance of 6.29 meters at the Hungarian Grand Prix meeting. This remarkable feat marks the 13th time Duplantis has set a new world record in his career.

On his second attempt, the double-Olympic champion surpassed his previous record of 6.28 meters, which he had set in Stockholm in June 2023. Duplantis first made history in 2020 while competing in Poland, where he cleared 6.17 meters, edging past the former record held by Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie.

The performances of McTaggart, Walsh, and Duplantis not only highlight their individual talents but also emphasize the competitive spirit and high standards present in the world of athletics. As the season progresses, fans and athletes alike eagerly anticipate what further records and achievements await in the upcoming competitions.