On cloud nine: China’s Li Ling in action during the women’s pole vault final. — Reuters
CHINA’S Li Ling was going from pole to pole – literally – before winning the Asian Games pole vault gold medal at the Hangzhou Olympic Stadium.
She won the gold with a leap of 4.63m, which shattered her previous Games record of 4.60m in the 2018 edition in Indonesia.
Despite breaking the record, Li Ling wanted to equal her Asian record of 4.72m but could not do so as she had to change poles for every jump.
She revealed later that she had to use two different pole sizes.
“I’m very happy to have the gold, but there are some tiny regrets. When I changed to a bigger pole, it seemed softer, so I had to change for an even bigger one.
“This winter I will need to figure out what kind of pole is the best for me,” she said.
“I still need to overcome a lot of challenges, but I believe I can overcome difficulties and perform even better.
“I love pole vaulting. I love it. I’ve been doing it for 22 years. Every time I do it, I love it all over again. I enjoy the feeling of being in the air, and staying short moments suspended in the air. That is the feeling I want to capture.”
Her performance and that of Malaysian Nor Sarah Adi were poles apart, too.
The Malaysian did not come up with any mark, finishing last out of the 11 vaulters in the final.
The 23-year-old Sarah said she had used her new pole, which turned out to be a wrong move.
“Coming to the Asian Games, I was excited to use the new pole and even used it during warm-ups.
“I set 3.80m in my first attempt but when the competition started, I didn’t adapt well with the pole,” she said.
“I did not know how to control that pole. Plus, my usual pole was getting too soft, so it was a risk to use during the competition.
“Obviously, I was disappointed but I have to let it go. I want to rectify the wrongs I did on Monday. I will bounce back.”
Japan’s Misaki Morata took silver with a leap of 4.48m, while Li Ling’s compatriot Niu Chunge took bronze on 4.30m.
