Australian pole vaulter Nina Kennedy has taken home gold after a dramatic finish at the World Athletic Championships in Budapest, tying with American Olympic gold medallist Katie Moon.

Kennedy and US competitor Moon were tied, but when both failed to clear the bar at 4.95m, it was decided that both would be crowned champions.

The 26-year-old Australian smashed her previous personal best and the national record by eight centimetres to bring home Australia’s first women’s pole vault world championship victory.

“I think a miracle happened tonight,” Kennedy told Fox Sports.

“To win a gold medal it’s just a dream come true.”

It was Kennedy who first floated the idea to share the medal, but she wasn’t sure how her US competitor would take it.

“Katie is the world champion, she is the Olympic gold medallist, I didn’t think she would want to share it and I thought we might need to keep jumping,” she said.

“But I kind of looked at her and said ‘hey girl you maybe wanna share this?’ and the relief, you could see it on her face and you could see it on my face and it was mutual.”

Kennedy now stands ninth all-time on the highest vaults recorded.

The gold was Australia’s second medal of the championships, after Jemima Montag won silver in the women’s 20km walk.

Last night’s events also saw Kurtis Marschall book his spot into the men’s pole vault final with a clearance height of 5.75 metres. Kelsey-Lee Barber, Kathryn Mitchell and Mackenzie Little are set for action in the women’s javelin final.

Australia has six athletes competing in the day six events including Rebecca Henderson and Allanah Pitcher competing in the 35km women’s race walk final, while Rhydain Cowley takes part in the men’s event.

Stewart McSweyn and Morgan McDonald will also compete in the 5000 metre men’s heats, with Joesph Deng entering the 800 metre semi-finals to close the night of Australian action.

Photo: Nina Kennedy (AUS) 2018 by filip bossuyt available HERE and used under a Creative Commons license. This image has not been modified.