Esther Leong (2019, French and Russian) set a new University pole vault record at the England Athletics U20/U23 Championships. She came fifth in the U20 category reaching a height of 3.90m.

Esther began pole vault after training as a gymnast for seven years, “My athletics coach at the time mentioned I wouldn’t be scared of going upside down so I gave it a go and immediately loved it. I then was introduced to my pole vault coach who I have been working with ever since.”

Esther finished 8th in the BUCS Outdoor Athletics Championships at the start of May then took first place in pole vault at the Athletics Varsity at the end of May. At the start of June, she came second in UK Women’s League Division 2.

She says that it is difficult to find a balance between studying and training “but training structures my day and I’m much more motivated afterwards. The hardest thing is travelling outside of Oxford to competitions and to my training facility (and transporting poles!) but training and studying are definitely compatible as long as you manage your time well.”

Watch Esther get a PB and University record in the video below.

Published: 19 July 2019

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