Diamond League joy for Scholar and pole vaulter Holly Bradshaw
By Mark Ashenden
Last Updated: 24/03/17 11:23am
Sky Scholar Holly Bradshaw dazzled on the prestigious Diamond League stage on Wednesday night by winning the women's pole vault in fine style.
It was a stunning effort on one of the sport's biggest stages for the 24-year-old from Preston coming only two weeks after the Rio Olympics.
Bradshaw, who just missed out on a medal in Brazil with a fifth-place finish in the final, continued her fine form at the Zurich Diamond League, held a day ahead of the main meet in the Swiss city's central train station.
As commuters hurried home on a balmy evening in the Swiss city, Bradshaw secured victory after clearing 4.76 metres after the top three all failed to clear 4.81m.
"I am over the moon with my performance," the Sky Academy Sports Scholar said. "I've been rounding into some great shape over the past month so to jump another season's best is great.
"4.76m is my third best height I've ever jumped so things are starting to get back to where I have been. I had a tough start to 2016 but to be rewarded with a good result after lots of patience and hard work is fantastic.
"I am chuffed for myself and my whole team! I can't wait for Newcastle next week at the Great North City Games and then 2017 now!"
American Sandi Morris, silver medallist at the Rio Games, was second, while Greece's Olympic and European champion Katerina Stefanidi had to be content with third on count-back.
The main programme of track and field events will be held on Thursday at the Letzigrund Stadium.
This is far from the bizarre setting of the main hall of Zurich station, where the runway was raised to the landing mat, lined on one side by a temporary scaffolded seating area with standing room on the other side and at the far end of the mat.
WHAT'S COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS...
SEPTEMBER 6: Mark English, Roberto, Italy
SEPTEMBER 7 - 18: Paralympic Games, Rio
SEPTEMBER 18: Holly Bradshaw, Liechtenstein
SEPTEMBER 10: Holly Bradshaw and Mark English, Great North City Games
