Kiwi Imogen Ayris in action during the women’s pole vault in Birmingham.
Pole vaulter Imogen Ayris has snared New Zealand’s first track and field medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Ayris won bronze in the competition on Wednesday morning (NZT), finishing one place ahead of fellow Kiwi Olivia McTaggart on countback.
The 21-year-old, who has overcome more than her fair share of injuries, won her first medal at a major world competition courtesy of a season-best vault of 4.45m.
She cleared that on her second attempt, one fewer than McTaggart, who then bowed out after failing to clear 4.50m.
Ayris, who no-heighted at 4.20m at the world championships in Oregon last month, missed out on silver to England’s Molly Caudery on countback (4.45m).
Australian Nina Kennedy won gold, clearing 4.60m with her second attempt.
The competition lost two of the top contenders, one of them before it even started, due to injury.
That meant a nine-strong field was quickly seven, after Holly Bradshaw and reigning champion Alysha Newman picked up injuries.
Bradshaw, who boasts a personal best of 4.90m, pulled out of the competition before it even started after hurting her hamstring half an hour before the start of the event, while Newman withdrew after pulling up lame after clearing 4.25m with her second attempt.
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