Liz Parnov - 4.40m at age 15

[rainbowgirl28]

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/ ... t-just-15/

Parnov in a place of her own at just 15
GENE STEPHAN, The West Australian
April 19, 2010, 6:54 am
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WAIS pole vault sensation Liz Parnov has become the youngest female in the world to jump 4.40m.

And the 15-year-old will be the youngest member of Australia's Commonwealth Games team in New Delhi when it is named this morning.

The daughter of gold medal- winning Olympic and world championship coach Alex Parnov, will follow in the footsteps of older sister Vicky, who was the youngest member of the team four years ago.

Liz Parnov, who turns 16 next month, guaranteed herself automatic selection by breaking her personal best by 10cm to win the Australian title on Saturday night ahead of training partners Alana Boyd, Amanda Bisk and sister Vicky.

She will be just months older than Debbie McCauley, Australia's youngest ever Commonwealth Games representative, when she travels to India as part of a strong WA vaulting contingent expected to include Olympic champion Steve Hooker, Boyd and possibly Bisk.

Bisk's fate rests with the selectors but after jumping qualifying marks earlier in the season, she has an excellent chance of being named as the third member of the women's team.

Parnov won her first national senior title by edging out Boyd, a two-time national champion, on countback after they both cleared 4.40m.

Parnov said she didn't have any nerves going into the competition because she knew she had done a lot of hard work in the lead-up.

"All I could do was my best and hope it would be enough to win the competition," she said.

"I felt pretty relaxed after clearing 4.30m in my first attempt and unbelievably surprised with 4.40m, a big personal best.

"I kept telling myself not to relax after clearing 4.30m because it was a great opportunity to make the Commonwealth Games team."

She was disappointed for sister Vicky, whose recent struggles continued when she could only clear 4.10m.

"The greatest lesson I have learned from Vicky is never to give up, no matter what," Liz said.

"I will be going to Delhi just to do my best; no pressure, no expectations, just go out there and have fun."

Parnov will compete in the Youth Olympics in Singapore in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games.

[rainbowgirl28]

Video of Liz jumping 4.30 about a month ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hncD3-bVjk

[master]

That's pretty amazing! I'm more than impressed

[timmac-pv]

I have footage of her jumps the whole event, will post link when i have them on you tube!

Her jumps at 4.50 are really nice and it seemed to me that she missed the height due to poles being to soft. Great technique though!

And to think Alex parnov still has twin girls aged 5 i think on the way through!

[timmac-pv]

Hey all,

as promised Liz Parnov jump at 4.40m!

will also be uploading other competitors jumps from the mens and womens jumps at Australian national champs!

here is the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfAWsykPUQA

Cheer

Tim

[dj]

hye

the pole seemed to bend reasonably high (or camera angle)..

anyone know what pole and grip??

dj

[rainbowgirl28]

Nordic Evolution pole, I don't know what size.

[achtungpv]

Here's the full approach and jump from ground level...
http://www.nordicsport.se/blog/post/New-World-Record

[timmac-pv]

Hey Atchungpv,

your link only shows her 4.30m vault which happened in Sydney. Her 4.40 jump happens in Perth, i will try and chase up footage of her at ground level.

[achtungpv]

oops. I assumed the caption was correct.