Boyd breaks national record in Perth

Only ten athletes have ever jumped higher in the event and the Commonwealth champion is now a strong medal chance for the London Olympic Games; At last year’s world championships a 4.75m clearance was required for a podium finish.

Boyd’s successful clearance came on her third attempt at the height, in her third competition in three weeks and bettered Kym Howe’s 4.72m record set indoors in the Ukraine in 2007. Boyd had earlier in the competition cleared a 4.71m personal best following clearances at 4.40m, 4.50m and 4.60m.

“To jump two PB’s in the one night, I am pretty stoked,” Boyd said after her performance.

“It has probably been about time. It has been coming and coming all season, and to go out there and not only jump the PB’s but get the Australian record is great. I’m definitely on a massive high right now.”

Following next week’s Olympic Trials in Melbourne Boyd will compete at IAAF World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey from 9-11 March, where she will face a rejuvenated Yelena Isinbayeva, who last set a new world indoor record of 5.01m in Birmingham during the week.