vaulter

A vaulter is a person who vaults, most commonly referring to an athlete who competes in pole vaulting, a track and field event in which a competitor uses a flexible pole to clear a horizontal bar at height. While pole vaulting is the best-known form of the sport, the term can apply to other forms of vaulting in athletics and gymnastics, though pole vaulting remains its most prominent usage.

Pole vault equipment includes a pole made from fiberglass or carbon fiber, a landing mat, and standards that hold the bar. Poles vary in length and stiffness to suit an athlete’s height, weight, and technique. Athletes approach with momentum, plant the pole in a box, and use the pole to propel themselves upward and over the bar. Technique emphasizes grip, run-up speed, plant, takeoff, inversion, and clearance, with coaches often drilling sequences to maximize height while controlling body position and bar contact.

Competition follows a height progression system. Athletes typically have up to three attempts at each height; failures result in elimination, while successful clears allow the bar to be raised. The winner is the vaulter who clears the highest height, with tiebreakers based on the number of misses. Training focuses on sprinting speed, strength, plant accuracy, pole technique, and aerial awareness, alongside safety practices to minimize risk from high-impact landings.

World records in pole vault are well above six meters for men and above five meters for women, reflecting the sport’s technical demands and athletic progression. Notable vaulters include figures such as Armand Duplantis, Yelena Isinbayeva, and Sergey Bubka, who have significantly influenced the sport’s development.