Nina Kennedy from Australia clinched the gold medal at the recent pole vault competition, while Alysha Newman of Canada secured the bronze. This victory holds special significance for Kennedy, especially as she won alongside friends and family supporting her during the event.
Moon, who recently sold her home in Powder Springs, faced a challenging start to the season due to injuries and was not among the favorites to win. However, the absence of world leader Molly Caudery from Great Britain, who failed to qualify for the finals, opened a pathway for Moon, who had tied for the fourth-best vault of the year.
Despite her struggles, Moon, 33, has consistently excelled at significant events. Alongside her Olympic gold medal from Tokyo 2021, she has also claimed the top position at the World Championships in both 2022 and 2023. Reflecting on her performances, Moon expressed her bewilderment about her ability to shine in championship settings, attributing it to the unique adrenaline these events provide.
During the competition, Moon successfully completed her first four vaults but faced setbacks with her initial attempt at 4.85 meters. In a twist, Newman cleared this height, establishing a new Canadian national record. Moon remained motivated, realizing that if she succeeded on her next attempt, she would maintain her lead. She celebrated joyfully after successfully clearing the height on her second try, marking her season’s best performance.
However, the competition faced delays due to a malfunction in the standards holding the vault bar, which impacted all competitors. Moon noted that such unexpected issues can disrupt momentum, making it difficult for athletes to perform optimally at crucial moments.
After watching Kennedy clear 4.90 meters, Moon opted to skip her second attempt and set the bar at 4.95 meters instead. Unfortunately, she was unsuccessful in that attempt, acknowledging that she should have considered using a longer pole.
Expressing her competitive spirit, Moon remarked that she always jumps to win and praised Kennedy’s spectacular performance, while emphasizing that she felt good about her own efforts.
Upon returning to the United States, she plans to reunite with her husband Hugo in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he serves as the assistant rowing coach at the University of Tulsa. Moon made it clear that she prioritizes her family and will no longer sacrifice time away from her husband for the sport.
Despite these challenges, Moon intends to continue her training remotely with her coach, Walker. As the reigning world champion, she has secured a place in the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo and sees this as an opportune moment for a transition in her career.