Imogen Ayris

2022 - 8 - 3

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

Kiwi pole vaulter Imogen Ayris dedicates Commonwealth Games ... (Stuff.co.nz)

Imoyen Ayris promised to make her late father proud two years ago. Now, she's done it.

And Libby jumped so well today, but you can't ignore the fact that you just snuck in for a medal.” A beautiful mind crunching all the player stats. If quality local sport journalism is important to you, become a Stuff supporter today. You need journalists close enough to smell the liniment. She finished one place ahead of fellow Kiwi Olivia McTaggart on countback, having cleared 4.45m with a clutch first attempt. "Fourth on countback. After all, with a personal-best of 4.65m, she knew she wasn’t at her best on a night 4.60m was enough for gold. Bradshaw, who boasts a personal best of 4.90m, pulled out of the competition before it even started, after hurting her hamstring half an hour before the start of the event. Footage of Ayris smiling the moment she knew she had bronze in the bag beamed on the big screen at Alexander Stadium. Having no-heighted at 4.20m at the world championships in Oregon last month, Ayris missed out on silver to England’s Molly Caudery on countback, after two of the top contenders, including the reigning champion, pulled out injured. A former fraud investigator, Ayris’ father almost never missed her compete after the Aucklander took up pole vault in 2014, and last saw her in action when she won the 2020 national title in Christchurch. Pole vaulter Imogen Ayris dedicated her first medal at a major international competition to her late father, Barny.

Kiwi wins 'special' medal for late father: 'I promised I would make him ... (New Zealand Herald)

Ayris earned New Zealand's first athletics medal in Birmingham tonight by edging compatriot and training partner Olivia McTaggart for a place on the podium in ...

"My hand is actually broken - the bone is in half and I'm going to need surgery at some point," she said. "But you can't ignore the fact that you've just snuck in there for a medal, so it was awesome." "I was so confident out there, I knew exactly what I needed to do. "Confidence," she said. So to have everyone here is so special." I really tried to get up there, but I was over the moon."

Surprise bronze for Kiwi pole vaulter in Birmingham (Otago Daily Times)

Commonwealth Games debutant Imogen Ayris has claimed a shock bronze in the women's pole vault, edging compatriot and training partner Olivia McTaggart for a ...

Once Anicka Newell failed to clear the bar at 4.45m, New Zealand were guaranteed a medal, with McTaggart's personal best of 4.65m - compared to Ayris' 4.50m - making her the likelier option. The Kiwis' chances further improved early in the competition when defending champion Alysha Newman pulled out after also sustaining an injury, leaving five athletes fighting over three medals.

Imogen Ayris soars to pole vault bronze for New Zealand (1 News)

Fellow Kiwi Olivia McTaggart finished in fourth place in Birmingham.

Ayris managed to clear it on her first run though, equalling her season best in the process. Newell also suffered the same fate meaning the pair had one last chance to join the qualified trio in moving on. She bounced back with her next run up though, clearing the bar with ease.

Birmingham Commonwealth Games: Kiwi Imogen Ayris takes ... (Newshub)

Imogen Ayris has secured New Zealand's first athletics medal of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, winning bronze in the women's pole vault.

Bronze for young pole-vaulter (RNZ)

The young New Zealand pole-vaulter Imogen Ayris has won a bronze medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

I am proud of fourth place. "Confidence. I approached the champs very differently and it paid off. "It is hard (to win a medal) when it comes down to a team-mate (Olivia) missing a height but for me to sneak in there and win a medal is excellent."