Olyslagers sails to silver on opening day of World Athletics Indoor Championships

High jumper Nicola Olyslagers has won her seventh global medal with silver at the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships, once again stepping up on the biggest stage to open Australia’s account in Kujawy Pomorze, Poland.

Entering the championships as the back-to-back champion, Olyslagers, a New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder,  was valiant in her bid for an elusive three peat, clinching silver with a 1.99m clearance which saw her finish in a three-way tie with Angelina Topic (SRB) and Yuliia Levchenko (UKR).

Only world record holder and reigning Olympic champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh (UKR) could take down the Australian, who was thrilled with the result in just her second competition of 2026.

“To have four women jump 1.99m on their first attempt, I don’t remember the last time I was a part of something like that,” Olyslagers said. “I wasn’t feeling in my absolute championship best shape, so I just thought to myself, what have I got to give today? I just realised it was just the simple joy of jumping.

“I’m really stoked to equal my indoor PB and this medal means a lot, because it showed me that there is so much more to give even when everything isn’t perfect.”

Olyslagers said sharing the silver with two of her rivals and friends made the competition even more special: 

“Angelina and Yullia are really dear friends of mine. Because I know how much goes into a medal, and they get to have it too – it makes it three times more special rather than one third as special,” Olyslagers said. 

“It doesn’t diminish anything and now we all get to go out there on the podium together.”

Fellow Australian Eleanor Patterson (NSWIS) bowed out with a seventh-place finish, clearing 1.93m but falling short of fifth place on countback after a slow start to the competition saw her concede ground to her rivals.

Adding to the action on the opening morning of competition, Olympian Peter Bol (WA) and debutant Hayley Kitching (NSWIS) sailed through their 800m heats in times of 1:45.87 and 2:00.09 respectively – booking their tickets to the semi-finals with strong racing.

19-year-old Bob Abdelrahim (VIC) also made his Australian debut but was run out of the 800m heats, crossing the line in third place before being disqualified (TR17.2.3).

Featuring 674 athletes from 118 countries, the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships are being held in Kujawy Pomorze, Poland from March 20-22.

Australian Athletics

Photos: Australian Athletics/Ben Levy