Aussie Nina Kennedy wins pole vault gold at the World Athletics Championships after incredible act of sportsmanship with rival – here’s why she did it with her hand painted black

Australian pole vaulter Nina Kennedy has won gold at the world championships in history-making style after she and American Katie Moon agreed that their drama-charged duel would end in a tie.

Kennedy twice broke her own national record with a first-up clearance at 4.85 metres and a gutsy third and final crack at 4.90m, with a black substance on her hands to improve her grip on the pole.

On both occasions, reigning world and Olympic champ Moon held her nerve to match the Australian.

The pair then each had three unsuccessful attempts at 4.95m in Thursday’s final before agreeing on a tie rather than contesting a jump-off to decide a single winner.

Kennedy bursts into tears of joy with her jet-black right hand raised in victory after winning gold in Budapest

There’s a simple explanation for the bizarre look the 26-year-old sported during the final

They then embraced on the track.

Two years ago at the Tokyo Olympics, men’s high jumpers Mutaz Essa Barshim, of Qatar, and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi had famously done the same.

‘It is unbelievable. It is a huge honour to share this gold with Katie,’ an emotional Kennedy said. ‘It is a dream come true.’

The bronze medal went to Wilma Murto from Finland with a best clearance of 4.80m.

Kennedy’s right hand was covered in a jet black substance as she competed – and there’s a simple explanation for the bizarre look.

Pole vaulters use a variety of different methods to improve the grip on their poles – with black cloth friction tape one of the most common.

Many then add either lighter fluid, chalk or adhesive spray on top of the tape to improve the grip even more.

Kennedy broke her own national record twice on the way to her gold medal triumph

The Aussie and America’s Katie Moon (pictured together) reached a stunning agreement to share the gold medal 

It’s something pole vaulters have been using for well over 70 years.

Moon is one of only eight vaulters to ever jump higher than she and Kennedy did in Budapest, a list headed by the legendary Russian Yelena Isinbayeva, whose 14-year-old world record stands at 5.06m.

The 26-year-old Australian is now equal ninth on the alltime list.

Kennedy enjoyed a major breakout year in 2022, finishing third at the world titles in Eugene and winning golds at the Diamond League final and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

But this nerveless display was the greatest performance of her career to date.

The WA vaulter made her senior debut as the youngest member of the Australian team at the 2015 world championships in Beijing when she no-heighted in the qualifying round as a raw 18-year-old.

She was third at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and missed out on a spot in the Tokyo Olympics final after jumping while injured.

Her previous best clearance was 4.82m in Sydney in early 2021.

It was Australia’s second medal of the championships, coming three days after Jemima Montag took the silver in the women’s 20km walk.

In other action from the night session on Wednesday, Australians Michelle Jenneke (12.80 seconds) and Celeste Mucci (12.97) were run out in the semis of the 100m hurdles.

Kennedy was completely overcome with emotion as she added the win to her Commonwealth Games gold medal and third at last year’s world titles 

World and Olympic silver medallist Kendra Harrison from the US was fastest into Thursday night’s final in 12.33.

Less than 24 hours after finishing seventh in a gruelling 1500m final, a tired-looking Jessica Hull was run out in the openg round of the 5000m.

The 26-year-old trailed home 13th in her heat in 15:15.89.

Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan was the fastest qualifier in 14:32.29, just ahead of Kenyan superstar Faith Kipyegon, who took another step towards the 1500m/5000m double.

Fellow Australians Rose Davies and Lauren Ryan also bowed out.

It was a similar tale in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, where the campaigns of Brielle Erbacher, Cara Feain-Ryan and Amy Cashin all ended in the opening round.

National record holder Stephanie Ratcliffe (69.87m) did not not advance from hammer throw qualifying.

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