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Australian pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall is determined to improve his fitness after sealing an Olympic berth at the Jandakot Airport Track Classic in Perth.
Pole vault star Kurtis Marschall has vowed to continue improving his conditioning after spectacularly qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics, believing his injury marred 2019 can prove a blessing in disguise.
The 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist stole the show at the Jandakot Airport Track Classic in Perth on saturday night, posting an Olympic qualifying height of 5.80m on his third attempt.
After achieving the desrired mark, Adelaide-born Marschall called it a night, having already won the men's pole vault ahead of West Australians Angus Armstrong, who notched a personal best 5.63m, and Stephen Clough.
It was a stunning comeback for the 22-year-old, who missed the bulk of last year with back and shoulder injuries.
But Marschall showed he had lost none of his talent and showmanship with an inspired performance to kick-start the domestic athletics season in style.
"I knew I could get it (5.80m)," Marschall said.
"I had to dig deep but I was running well and the body was moving fine, so I ended up clearing it with no touch."
Marschall has set his sights on improving his fitness with a spot in Tokyo secure - his second Olympics berth having participated in Rio four years ago.
"I want to get as strong as I can to protect my body after being in such a fragile state before," he said.
"I need to build some muscle and keep hitting the gym. I want to keep producing and hit the rest of the season pretty hard."
After his 2019 season was derailed by injuries, Marschall said his painful stint on the sidelines could prove a blessing in disguise.
"If I had just kept on the train and chased comp after comp then I think I would have been worn down," he said.
"Coming into an Olympic year, I'm now in the best shape I've ever been in. And I feel great physically and mentally, as well as technically."
Marschall, who has become Australia's talisman in men's pole vault, received strong competition from 22-year-old Armstrong.
"For him to push me like that, it's absolutely unbelievable because it pushes me to achieve my goals," he said.
