Second silver for New Zealand at the World University Games

Second silver for New Zealand at the World University Games

9 July 2015

Auckland student Eliza McCartney has won New Zealand’s second medal of the World University Games, silver in the women’s pole vault.

She cleared 4.40, just 5cm short of her personal best, to finish behind Li Ling of China on 4.45. The bronze medal went to Chloe Henry of Belgium.

An ecstatic McCartney said she hadn’t gone into the competition expecting to win a medal.

``I’m still buzzing. I wasn’t expecting to medal or anything. I just wanted to go out there and jump a PB and do my best so I’m just stoked with that,’’ she said.

Coach Jeremy McColl said that McCartney had a hesitant start but as the height went up to 4.30 that changed.

``Everything started to flow and her technique came together then quite nicely and that paved the way for the rest of the competition for her.’’

The World University Games is McCartney’s first major senior level competition and McColl says she has ``just shown that she’s where she belongs’’.

McCartney has previously placed fourth at the World Youth Championships and last year won bronze at the World Junior Championships.

The World University Games is a major international sporting event that is held every two years for student athletes from around the world. This year more than 13,000 athletes from 141 countries are estimated to be competing in Gwangju at the Games, also known as the Universiade.

New Zealand's other silver medal of these Games was won by rower Toby Cunliffe-Steel in the men's lightweight single sculls.

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