Newell

Like so many vaulters, Anicka Newell turned a back injury in gymnastics – a sport she loved due to the thrill of flying through the air – into an opportunity to soar to even greater heights.

Now, the 28-year-old who was born in Denton, Texas, and holds dual citizenship as her mother was born in Canada, makes a living hurling herself up and over a bar more than four-and-a-half metres high.

As a collegiate star at Texas State University, where she majored in Exercise Sports Science with a minor in Nutrition, Newell had no international experience heading into Rio 2016 – though she had cleared 4.67 metres at Port Aransas Beach Vault earlier that year, the highest ever by a Canadian woman. Some might say she was in way over her head, only jumping the opening height of 4.15 metres to finish tied for 29th in the 34-woman field.

Looking back, Newell has no regrets about her performance and has learned from it, but admits the nerves got the best of her on the biggest stage she’s ever competed on. “If I could go back, I would tell myself, ‘Hey, it’s ok. You’re prepared for this, let your body do what it knows how to do.’”

Rio 2016 was a huge learning experience and Newell quickly realized that she needed to work on her mental preparation, toughness and attitude if she was going to achieve great things in the pole vault. The past four-plus years haven’t been easy, as Newell has gone through ups and downs – both mentally and physically.

She qualified for the 2017 IAAF World Championships, only to bow out of the competition at 4.55 metres to finish 12th. She then took to the runway at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, but only managed to clear 4.30 metres.

Determined to be better, Newell bounced back at the 2018 Canadian Track & Field Championships, capturing gold to earn her spot on Canada’s NACAC Championships Team. But the bar got the best of her in Toronto where she failed to clear the opening height. Newell continued to struggle in 2019, as she no-heighted once again at the Canadian Track & Field Championships and failed to qualify for the 2019 IAAF World Championships.

Though devested when the global pandemic forced the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics last year, there was also an upside. Newell was hampered by a nagging Achilles tendon injury, and the extra time allowed her to fully heal, both mentally and physically, so she could work towards her goals.

With a renewed attitude and focus, Newell achieved a new personal best of 4.70 metres – the Olympic Qualifying Standard and her first personal best in nearly four years – to open the 2021 calendar year. There was no doubt in her mind on Jan. 2 that she was going to do it. When she cleared the bar, it bounced a little, but by the time her back hit the mat her entire team was ecstatic. She had officially opened the door to her second Olympic Games, with a breakthrough performance she desperately needed to prove to herself that she can go even higher.

Now, with the mental and physical ability to clear the Olympic standard, Newell has her sights on her next goal. “I’m coming for that Canadian record, that’s the next height. I have a long way to go this year, we just need to continue progressing. Getting better, getting stronger, both mentally and physically.”