Performers: 阿部勇樹ABE yuki (Soccer) 川崎宗則KAWASAKI munenori (Baseball) 朝青龍明徳ASASHORYU akinori (Sumo) 黒山健一KUROYAMA kenichi (Bike trials) 瀬間詠里花SEMA erika (Tennis) 澤野大地SAWANO daichi (Pole Vault) 宮崎久MIYAZAKI hisashi (sprint race) 平光清HIRAKO kiyoshi (Umpire) 増山大治郎MASUYAMA daijiro (Horsemanship)

The raw video of me getting nailed by my pole when I took off too far inside and was running waaaay too fast. It's pretty funny and it left a very noticeable, painful and distinct bruise on my stomach for days. Enjoy! -Ant

Pole Vaulting Extravaganza

Pole vaulting video #2

Derek busts a spirit

very cool accident happend to me;)

Two pole vault accidents by the same vaulter on two different occasions.

Russia's pole vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva easily retained her title, but she was unable to break her own world record at the world championships on Tuesday. Isinbayeva won with a vault of 4.80, while Czech Katerina Badurova took silver with 4.75 and Russia's Svetlana Feofanova bronze after taking an extra vault to clear the same height. (WCSN, WCSN.com)

What can very, very easily happen when someone is competing in the Pole Vault

Pole vaulting video #4

If all pole vaulters landed like this, I would be the most avid pole vaulting fan of all time.

6.40 Athens 2004 game pole vault

Vertical Minds DVD now for sale! Includes special features from the 2007 season! Message me with your email address if you would like to order a copy or visit www.willamettestriders.com for the order form. The first half of 14 minute documentary about pole vaulting and the mental challenges athletes must overcome to be successful in the sport. The video features interviews with some of the best up and coming vaulters as well as long time pole vault guru's including Rick Baggett and Fred Arnold. Vaulter interviews include Justin Norberg, Erin Asay, Jon Takahashi, Jessie Gallaher, Melissa Sakowski and Coach Andy Steben. CS Producer / Director / Editor

Melanie O'Brien gets her feet caught on the bar and falls in the box. Could have been very very bad!

Pole vaulting video #3

Simple vault drill for developing a strong pull-through.

Tripped on Take off

A simple teaching progression that can be used to teach beginner's how to pole vault. It can also be useful as a 'return-to-fundamentals' refresher for advanced athletes.

Brad Walker of the United States beat Romain Mesnil of France on a countback to win the men's pole vault. Both men vaulted 5.86 meters but the American won the gold because he cleared the height at his first attempt while Mesnil took two goes. (WCSN, WCSN.com)

Not so great moments in Olympic History. www.vancouvergamesforum.com