Australian pole vaulter Nina Kennedy won world championship gold in historic fashion after she and American Katie Moon agreed their drama-laden duel would end in a draw.
Kennedy twice broke her own national record with a first jump at 4.85m and a brave third and final crack at 4.90m, with a black substance on her hands to improve her grip on the pole.
Each time, reigning world and Olympic champion Moon kept her cool to compete with the Australian.
The pair then each attempted three unsuccessful attempts at 4.95m in Thursday’s final before agreeing a tie rather than contest a play-off to decide a single winner.
Kennedy breaks down in tears of joy with his 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 in the final
They then kissed on the track.
Two years ago at the Tokyo Olympics, male high jumpers Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi did the same.
‘It’s incredible. It’s a huge honor to share this gold with Katie,” Kennedy said emotionally. ‘It’s a dream come true.’
The bronze medal went to Finland’s Wilma Murto with a best jump of 4.80m.
Kennedy’s right hand was coated in a jet-black substance as she competed – and there’s a simple explanation for that weird look.
Pole vaulters use a variety of methods to improve the grip of their poles, with black cloth friction tape being one of the most common.
Many then add a lighter, chalk, or adhesive spray to the tape to further improve the stickiness.
Kennedy broke her own national record twice before winning the gold medal.
Australian and American Katie Moon (pictured together) struck a stunning deal to share the gold medal.
It’s something pole vaulters have been using for over 70 years.
Moon is one of eight aerialists to have ever jumped higher than her and Kennedy in Budapest, a list led by legendary Russian Yelena Isinbayeva, whose 14-year-old world record stands at 5.06m.
The 26-year-old Australian is now ninth on the all-time list.
Kennedy had a breakthrough year in 2022, finishing third at world titles in Eugene and winning gold at the Diamond League Finals and Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
But that nerveless display was the greatest performance of his career to date.
The WA outfielder made her senior debut as the youngest member of the Australian squad at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing despite failing to reach the pitch in the qualifying round aged 18 .
She finished third at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and missed out on a place in the Tokyo Olympics final after jumping while injured.
His previous best clearance was 4.82m in Sydney at the start of 2021.
It was Australia’s second medal at the championships, three days after Jemima Montag won silver in the women’s 20km race walk.
In other action from Wednesday night’s session, Australia’s Michelle Jenneke (12.80 seconds) and Celeste Mucci (12.97) were knocked out in the 100m hurdles semi-final.
Kennedy was completely overwhelmed with emotion as she added the win to her Commonwealth Games gold medal and third-place finish at last year’s world titles.
World and Olympic silver medalist Kendra Harrison of the United States was fastest in Thursday night’s final clocking 12.33.
Less than 24 hours after finishing seventh in a grueling 1,500m final, a tired-looking Jessica Hull was knocked out in the opening run of the 5,000m.
The 26-year-old finished 13th in her heat in 15:15.89.
Dutchman Sifan Hassan was fastest in qualifying in 14:32.29, just ahead of Kenyan superstar Faith Kipyegon, who took a step closer to the 1500m/5000m double.
Fellow Australians Rose Davies and Lauren Ryan also withdrew.
It was a similar story in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase, where the campaigns of Brielle Erbacher, Cara Feain-Ryan and Amy Cashin all ended in the first round.
National record holder Stephanie Ratcliffe (69.87m) failed to qualify for the hammer throw.
