Alana Boyd sets new National and Oceania Record

Two-time Commonwealth champion Alana Boyd jumped a new Australian, as well as Oceania Record after soaring over 4.77m in the women’s pole vault on the Sunshine Coast today.

Eclipsing her own record of 4.76m in the process, the stunning early season leap from the 31-year-old adds a fourth Rio 2016 qualifier to her resume and all but ensures that she will start at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Portland (USA) in March.

“It has been nearly four years since my last personal best, that’s so amazing. After years and years I have found improvement,” Boyd said.

“I knew that I was in good shape and had another career best height in me. I’ve been putting together good sessions, consistent and committed sessions, and I’ve struggled with that these past few years. My approach to training has been about getting out there, getting off the ground and building consistency and it is absolutely starting to show.

“I think my result in Beijing last year made such a difference. I proved to myself that I could do it when it counted and that’s given me such a boost. I know that I can now, there’s no excuses.

“I came into this domestic season knowing that I already had the Olympic qualifier under my belt, and now I’ve got two world indoor marks as well. That event will be a great preparation for Rio and I am confident that I can keep building on this in the coming months.”

Boyd will also be a regular starter on the Australian Athletics Tour, with her domestic schedule including competition at http://buyativan.org the Adelaide Track Classic, before two meets in New Zealand, the IAAF Melbourne World Challenge and the all-important Australian Athletics Championships and Nomination Trials.

The performance is the 14th best jump of all-time.