Olympic champion Nina Kennedy has continued her hot start to the 2026 international season at the Rome Diamond League, where a Commonwealth Games rival evened the ledger as middle-distance runners Peyton Craig and Linden Hall delivered personal bests.
After a series of misses at 4.60m, Kennedy (WA, James Fitzpatrick) bounced back with first-attempt clearances at both 4.70m and 4.80m, but the damage was done as England’s Molly Caudery (GBR) clinched the win on countback in a Commonwealth Games prelude.
With a smile on her face, Kennedy was pleased to navigate the competition and work her way out of early trouble.
“I had a bit of a stumble early. Some pole vault setups can be quite different and you have to align the variables to make the perfect jump,” Kennedy said.
“I was having a bit of trouble out there today, but I was clutch on the third attempt and I continued on.”
The result sees Kennedy split her first two Diamond League appearances after winning at Sunday’s Rabat Diamond League, now returning to Perth to continue her Glasgow preparations.
“To be back out here with the girls is super exciting,” Kennedy said.
“I’m an open book! You will know if I’m happy and you will know if I’m sad, that’s just me.”
After a breakthrough win in Xiamen, Abbey Caldwell (VIC, Gavin Burren) found herself in a difficult position at the front of the field as no athletes went with the pacemaker, leaving the Australian to lead from the gun to the beginning of the bell lap.
Valiant in her effort, Caldwell held on for seventh place in a time of 4:02.15 as the race was won by Olympic bronze medallist Georgia Hunter Bell (GBR) in 3:58.63.
“I didn’t feel my best out there but I know I’m fit. I just wanted to run the best race I could and today that wasn’t the best in the race. Onto the next!” Caldwell said.
21-year-old Peyton Craig (QLD, Craig Mottram) produced the fastest time of his life when rallying in the final straight of the Men’s 800m, flashing to fourth place in a time of 1:44.01 to rise to third on the Australian all-time list as Gabriel Tual (FRA) won the race in 1:43.66.
Three-time Olympian Linden Hall (VIC, Ned Brophy-Williams) joined the personal best party when lowering her 5000m time to 14:40.81 for 15th place in the star-studded field, working solo at stages throughout the race as Ethiopia had the first seven women across the line.
Rounding out the action in Rome, high jumper Yual Reath (VIC, Mike Barber) soared over 2.20m to secure sixth place in his Diamond League return, while long jumper Liam Adcock (NSW, self-coached) leapt to a distance of 7.70m (-0.3) on a challenging night.
The 2026 Diamond League will continue in Stockholm this Sunday, June 7.
Full results are available HERE.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 5/6/2026
