Holly Bradshaw motivated to maintain momentum in 2019
After a year which she describes as "really satisfactory", British pole vault record-holder Holly Bradshaw is determined to maintain the momentum in 2019, starting with February's Müller Indoor Grand Prix in Birmingham.
The European medallist has been announced for the event on February 16 along with world, Olympic and European champion Katerina Stefanidi of Greece, who hopes for another strong competition.
"After what was a really satisfactory 2018, I’m more motivated than ever to keep the momentum going in 2019 and the perfect way to start that is at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham against some of the best in the world," said Bradshaw, who claimed her first major outdoor medal with bronze in Berlin in August, finishing behind Stefanidi and her fellow Greek vaulter Nikoleta Kyriakopoulou.
"I thrive on competing against the likes of the very best such as Kat, as being up against the top girls can only help to bring out the very best in me."
She added: "Though it will be an incredibly tough competition, what I do know is that competing in front of a home crowd here in Birmingham will give me an added boost and hopefully spur me on to a really strong performance."
Stefanidi claimed her second world indoor bronze medal at Arena Birmingham in March and ahead of returning to the venue for the Indoor Grand Prix, the 28-year-old said: "I always absolutely love competing in the UK, especially at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix, as not only do the British fans make a great atmosphere but I also know that the fields are always built to be incredibly strong which means every athlete is excited and motivated to achieve the best possible performance.
"2018 was a big year for our sport and the pole vault as an event with some strong results across the men’s and women’s competitions, so it’s a really exciting time for the event and I really hope I can be at the fore when it comes to pushing the women’s field on to literal new heights!"
