British pole vaulter Holly Bradshaw to miss World Athletics Indoor Championships in March

British pole vaulter Holly Bradshaw to take a break from competition due to ‘health, body and mental challenges’ and miss World Athletics Indoor Championships in March

  • Holly Bradshaw has withdrawn from all indoor meets in the forthcoming season
  • The pole vaulter would have been a contender at the world indoors in March
  • She has vowed to return for the three major championships in the summer


Olympic bronze medallist Holly Bradshaw has withdrawn from all indoor meets in the forthcoming season because of ‘health, body and mental challenges’.

The pole vaulter, 30, would have been tipped as a contender at the world indoors in March, but will instead stand down from competition until the summer.

She said: ‘To be totally transparent, over the last two months I’ve struggling with various health, body and mental challenges which have significantly affected my ability to train near the level I would wish for.

Holly Bradshaw has withdrawn from all indoor meets in the forthcoming season

‘I’ve very recently suffered with a mild bout of glandular fever leading to various niggles where my body clearly can’t tolerate the load I’m asking of it. 

‘All of this has left me feeling incredibly tired, stressed and deflated so I’m taking this as a sign that I need to recover.

‘There is a big outdoor season with three major championships (World Championships, Commonwealth Games and European Championships) so I’m channelling all of my energy for an exciting summer.’