Sainsbury's Indoor Grand Prix: Holly Bleasdale lands pole vault title
Holly Bleasdale managed her third consecutive jump over 4.70m as she won the pole vault at the Indoor Grand Prix.
By Sam Drury - Follow on Twitter
Last Updated: 17/02/14 10:05am
The British athlete cleared 4.71m to finish 10cm clear of Slovenia's Tina Sutej in second place with Yarishley Silva of Cuba, who was expected to be Bleasdale's biggest threat to the title, having to settle for fourth with a best vault of 4.46m.
Following on from victory in the British Indoor Championships in Sheffield the previous weekend, Bleasdale again looked in great shape as she cleared 4.46m at the first attempt. It took two to make 4.61m, but the Sky Academy Sports Scholar then had no problem in sailing clear with the bar set at 4.71m.
Although 4.77m proved a step too far on this occasion, the 22-year-old Lancastrian believes she is capable of going much higher than that in the coming weeks and months.
"That was my third consecutive jump over 4.70m and if you'd told me this time last year that I'd be in this position I'd have been really happy," said Bleasdale.
"It wasn't a great day today; I felt a bit rusty and things were a little bit stiff but if I can jump 4.71m on a bad day then I know the 4.80s and 4.90s will come."
The British record holder was also quick to praise the crowd in Birmingham for their support and giving her an extra boost.
"I love it here, this is my favourite place in the world to compete," she added. "The crowd are amazing; they get behind me and cheer and that gives me a bit of an edge. That's what helped me win today so I was really happy with it."
Next up for Bleasdale will be the World Indoor Championships in Poland in March and, given her form and the consistency she has found, few would back against her adding the world title to her European crown from last year.
