Braz da Silva bested some heavy competition from many seasoned champions. He cleared the bar at 5.78 meters in his first attempt, prior to extending his victory with his second attempt at 5.86 meters, which solidified him in first place; moreover, he raised the bar to 5.94 meters, which would have been a new personal best for him in the indoor track and field, but he failed to clear that height that night.
In second place was Greek pole vaulter and 2014 world indoor champion, Konstadinos Filippidis, with a vault clearance over 5.70 meters. Frenchmen Kevin Menaldo and Axel Chapelle took third and fourth place respectively, since they both cleared 5.70 meters, but were behind on countback, which gave Filippidis the advantage.
Canadian world Champion Shawn Barber finished in fifth place with a vault of 5.50 meters, while Olympic silver medalist and world record holder Renaud Lavillenie was only able to clear 5.50 meters on his third attempt, where he finished seventh place. Lavillenie delayed his debut this season due to an injury in his quadriceps.
At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeioro, Thiago Braz da Silva won the gold medal with a leap over the 6.03 meter mark, thus setting an Olympic and South American record.
Digital Journal chatted with the acclaimed Brazilian pole vaulter.
