Nicola Olyslagers has secured another remarkable victory in her stellar 2025 season, clinching the high jump gold at the Diamond League event in Zurich. Her leap of 2.04 meters not only earned her the win but also set a new Australian and Oceanian record, marking the best jump in the world this year.
This victory comes just two weeks before she aims to capture her first outdoor world title in Tokyo, following her indoor championship victory in March. “I’ve been trying to get that height for a few years now—and today I got the Diamond trophy on top—what a day,” said the Central Coast athlete.
Olyslagers’ Journey and Achievements
At 28, Olyslagers has become a prominent figure in athletics, consistently demonstrating her prowess on the international stage. Her latest triumph in Zurich marks her fourth Diamond League gold of the season, having already claimed victories in Stockholm, Paris, and Lausanne.
Olyslagers is now the third Australian woman to win a Diamond League title, joining the ranks of hurdler Sally Pearson and pole vaulter Nina Kennedy. Her performance in Zurich’s Sechselautenplatz square, overshadowed by the city’s opera house, was a testament to her dedication and skill.
Her winning jump of 2.04 meters surpassed her previous best of 2.03 meters, which she set in Eugene in September 2023. “It’s very special. I didn’t ever imagine when I was a child that I would get to this height,” Olyslagers reflected. “I had this peace inside my heart and I’m still discovering what’s possible for me.”
Rivalry and Competition
Olyslagers’ victory was particularly significant as she once again outperformed Ukrainian world record holder and Olympic champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh. Mahuchikh equaled her season’s best with a 2.02-meter leap but was unable to surpass Olyslagers, marking the fourth time this season that Olyslagers has triumphed over her.
The competition between the two athletes has been fierce, with the Zurich event marking their eighth encounter this season. They have shared the podium in all but one event, highlighting the intensity of their rivalry.
“It was so nice having Yaroslava jump with me the whole way,” Olyslagers said. “Jumping with her is one of my favorite things in the world, so having her and me really go for it was wonderful.”
Looking Ahead to Tokyo
As Olyslagers prepares for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, her focus remains on refining her technique. “I think I have some notes of what I need to change in order to go higher. The 2.04m was 10 out of 10, but I still need to work on my run in the last three steps,” she noted.
Meanwhile, her Australian teammate Eleanor Patterson finished last among the six finalists, clearing 1.91 meters. In other events, world indoor medallist Liam Adcock secured a bronze medal in the long jump with a last-round best of 8.24 meters.
Other Highlights from Zurich
The Zurich Diamond League event also saw Armand Duplantis, the pole vault champion, continue his dominance despite not being in peak form. Duplantis prevailed on countback after clearing 6 meters, the same height as Greek Emmanouil Karalis.
Reflecting on his performance, Duplantis said, “118? Oh, that is really special. I shouldn’t take it for granted. Today? Well, I’m a human being. I don’t break world records every day. There are days when I feel decent and days when I feel bad. Today I felt somewhere in between.”
Australian Kurtis Marschall finished fourth in the pole vault with a clearance of 5.65 meters.
As the athletics world turns its attention to Tokyo, Olyslagers’ recent performances have set high expectations. Her journey from a promising young athlete to a record-setting champion serves as an inspiration to many, and her upcoming challenge at the World Championships promises to be a thrilling spectacle.
