Kurtis Marschall, a 28-year-old pole vaulter from Adelaide, has joined an exclusive group of athletes by clearing the 6-meter mark during an indoor meet in France. This remarkable achievement occurred at the All Star Perche event in Clermont-Ferrand, where Marschall finished second to world-record holder Armand Duplantis. His success came after initially struggling with a height of 5.9 meters, which he successfully cleared on his third attempt before confidently vaulting over 6 meters on his first try.

With this accomplishment, Marschall becomes only the fourth Australian in history to clear the 6-meter mark, joining the ranks of Steve Hooker, Dmitri Markov, and Paul Burgess. Each of these athletes has made significant contributions to the sport, with Hooker holding the Australian record at 6.06 meters, achieved at an indoor meet in Boston in 2009. Markov and Burgess also have notable records, further emphasizing the high caliber of Australian pole vaulting.

Marschall's achievement not only elevates his status in the pole vault community but also secures him automatic qualification for the upcoming world championships, highlighting the importance of this milestone. As he joins the elite group of just 31 men worldwide who have cleared 6 meters, his performance could inspire future generations of athletes in Australia and raise the profile of pole vaulting within the country.