Julia Calabretti: Brazil’s Rising Pole Vault Star

Julia Santos Calabretti is one of Brazil’s most promising young pole vault athletes, representing a new generation of Brazilian track and field excellence. At 19 years old, this talented athlete from São Paulo has already established herself as one of the best young pole vaulters in South America, with national titles, international medals, and qualification standards for major championships. Training at the prestigious Centro Olímpico de Treinamento e Pesquisa (Olympic Training and Research Center) in São Paulo, Calabretti combines technical excellence with fierce determination to pursue her dreams of Olympic competition.

Track and Field Accomplishments

Pole Vault Excellence

Julia Calabretti has emerged as one of Brazil’s premier young pole vaulters, consistently raising the bar on her performances and establishing herself among the continental elite.

Major Personal Best:

• Set a personal best of 4.03 meters at the 2024 Brazilian U20 Championships in June, earning not only the national title but also achieving the qualifying standard for the World U20 Championships
• This mark stands as the second-best performance in Brazilian U20 history, behind only Izabel De Marco’s 4.10 meters
• The 4.03m vault demonstrated her potential to eventually challenge established Brazilian pole vault stars

National Championships Success:

• Brazilian U20 Champion in pole vault (2024)
• Brazilian U16 silver medalist in pole vault
• Brazilian U18 champion in pole vault (2020)
• Multiple-time podium finisher at Brazilian national championships across various age categories

Progressive Improvement:

• 2023: Cleared 3.50 meters at the Troféu Bandeirantes, jumping from 10th to 4th in the Brazilian U20 rankings
• Earlier 2023: Had a season best of 3.10 meters at the Troféu Adhemar Ferreira da Silva
• 2020: Won Brazilian U18 title with 2.75 meters

International Competition

Junior Pan American Games (Asunción, 2025):

• Finished 5th in the pole vault with a clearance of 3.80 meters
• Competed alongside teammate Luana de Moura, who won bronze with 3.90 meters
• Gained valuable experience competing against the best young vaulters in the Americas

South American Youth Games (Rosario, Argentina, 2023):

• Finished 8th in pole vault despite competing while dealing with an injury
• Also competed in triple jump, finishing 4th in the event
• Demonstrated versatility across jumping events at age 16

World U20 Championships Qualification:

• Achieved the qualifying standard of 4.03 meters for the World U20 Championships
• Positioned herself among the elite young pole vaulters globally

Versatility in Jumping Events

While specializing in pole vault, Calabretti has shown remarkable versatility:

• Triple Jump: 4th place at South American Youth Games
• 4x75m Relay: Silver medalist at Brazilian U16 Championships
• Has competed in multiple jumping disciplines, showcasing her all-around athletic ability

State-Level Dominance

At the São Paulo state level, Calabretti has been a consistent champion:

• Multiple gold medals at the Campeonato Estadual (State Championships) in pole vault
• Bronze medal in pole vault at state-level competition
• Has consistently represented São Paulo with distinction at national competitions

Training and Development

Calabretti trains at the Centro Olímpico de Treinamento e Pesquisa (COTP) in São Paulo, one of Brazil’s premier athletics training facilities. Under the guidance of coach Alexandre Morato, she follows a rigorous training schedule:

• Training Schedule: Monday through Friday, three hours per day
• Facility: Access to world-class pole vault facilities and equipment at the Olympic Training Center
• Coaching Philosophy: Coach Morato emphasizes step-by-step progression, focusing on technical development and gradual improvement

Coach Morato has spoken highly of Calabretti’s potential, noting her inspiration from Brazilian pole vault legends: “She has Fabiana Murer (South American record holder) as an inspiration, and even the current generation like Izabel [De Marco] and Juliana Campos. We’re going step by step, but I think she can evolve a lot.”

Athletic Heritage and Early Beginnings

Calabretti comes from an athletic family, which played a crucial role in her introduction to track and field. She began training at age 11, inspired by discovering her mother’s medals from her own athletic career in both track and field and volleyball.

Describing how she discovered athletics, Calabretti recalls: “I always really loved sports and had a lot of energy. I loved Physical Education classes, and one day I saw my mother’s medals—she was an athlete in track and field and volleyball. Because of that, I started asking how it works, and I wanted to try too. At first I wanted volleyball, but those weren’t open yet, so she took me to try out for track and field at the Center. I managed to pass and fell in love with the sport, where I am to this day.”

This athletic lineage provided Calabretti not only with genetic advantages but also with an understanding of what it takes to succeed at a high level from an early age.

Overcoming Challenges

Like many elite athletes, Calabretti has had to navigate the physical demands and injury risks inherent in her sport. She has been candid about the challenges:

Injury Management:

• Has dealt with quadriceps injuries
• Experienced lower back (lumbar) issues
• Lives with Achilles tendinopathy (calcaneous tendon condition)
• Competed at the 2023 South American Youth Games while dealing with an injury, demonstrating her mental toughness

The nature of pole vaulting—with its explosive movements, high-impact landings, and sudden force application—creates specific injury risks. Calabretti has learned to manage these challenges while maintaining her training intensity and competitive schedule.

Mental Approach and Competition Mindset

Calabretti has developed a sophisticated mental approach to competition, particularly evident in her performance at the 2023 Troféu Bandeirantes. She described her pre-competition nerves and her strategy for maintaining focus:

“At the beginning of the competition I was very nervous because I really wanted to improve my mark from this year, but as the competition went on, I felt calmer and focused 100%. And the 5 minutes [between attempts] that I didn’t even expect half [laughing] is so I don’t lose focus, so I would go, talk with my coach and rest, and when I felt better I would go jump, so as not to lose the momentum and lose concentration.”

This approach—managing anxiety, staying connected with her coach, and carefully timing her attempts—reflects a mature understanding of how to perform under pressure.

Career Aspirations and Future Goals

As a 19-year-old competing in the U20 category, Calabretti is at a pivotal point in her athletic development. Her immediate and long-term goals include:

Short-Term Objectives:

• Breaking the 4.10-meter barrier to surpass Izabel De Marco’s Brazilian U20 record
• Competing successfully at the World U20 Championships
• Continuing to improve technique and consistency
• Winning more national titles as she transitions to senior competition

Long-Term Aspirations:

• Following in the footsteps of Brazilian pole vault legend Fabiana Murer, who won World Championship gold and Olympic bronze
• Qualifying for and competing at the Olympic Games
• Setting new Brazilian records and becoming South America’s top pole vaulter
• Representing Brazil at World Championships and other major international competitions

Inspirations and Role Models

Calabretti draws inspiration from Brazil’s rich pole vaulting tradition:

Fabiana Murer: The South American record holder (4.87m), 2011 World Champion, and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist serves as Calabretti’s primary inspiration. Murer’s achievements demonstrated that Brazilian vaulters could compete with the world’s best.

Contemporary Athletes: Calabretti also looks up to current Brazilian vaulters like Izabel De Marco and Juliana Campos, who continue to compete at high levels and provide examples of sustained excellence.

Impact on Brazilian Athletics

Calabretti represents the next generation of Brazilian pole vaulters, carrying forward a tradition of excellence in the event. Her progression through youth categories with consistent improvement suggests she has the potential to eventually compete at the senior international level.

As a product of the São Paulo Olympic Training Center system, she also demonstrates the effectiveness of Brazil’s regional training center model in developing world-class athletes. The COTP has produced numerous national and international champions, and Calabretti’s success adds to this legacy.

Team Contributions

Beyond individual achievements, Calabretti has contributed to team success:

• Member of Brazilian relay teams at national championships
• Part of the São Paulo state delegation that has dominated national team competitions
• Representative of Brazil at South American Youth Games and Junior Pan American Games
• Has helped the Centro Olímpico team win multiple team titles at national championships, including being part of teams that won overall championships

Personal Qualities and Character

Those who know Calabretti describe her as dedicated, passionate, and resilient. Her willingness to compete while injured at the South American Youth Games demonstrates her commitment to representing Brazil even under difficult circumstances. Her practice of carefully managing her mental state during competition shows maturity beyond her years.

Her journey from an energetic 11-year-old who loved Physical Education class to a nationally ranked pole vaulter exemplifies the power of early exposure to sports and quality coaching. The support of her athletic mother and the resources of the Olympic Training Center combined with her natural talent and work ethic to create a formula for success.

Recognition and Awards

Calabretti’s achievements have earned her:

• Selection to Brazilian national teams for international competition
• Recognition in Brazilian athletics media as one of the country’s top young pole vaulters
• Ranking among the top pole vaulters in South America in her age category
• Support from the Olympic Training Center system, which identifies and develops elite talent

Looking Forward

At 19 years old with several years remaining in youth categories and her entire senior career ahead of her, Julia Calabretti stands at the threshold of potentially greater achievements. Her 4.03-meter personal best positions her within striking distance of Brazilian records, while her consistent year-to-year improvement suggests she has not yet reached her ceiling.

As she continues training under Coach Alexandre Morato at the Olympic Training Center, competing against increasingly elite international competition, and refining her technique, Calabretti carries the hopes of Brazilian pole vaulting on her shoulders. With proper development, injury management, and continued dedication, she has the potential to follow Fabiana Murer’s path to World Championship and Olympic podiums.

Representative of São Paulo Athletics

Calabretti proudly represents São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city and a traditional powerhouse in Brazilian athletics. The city’s investment in facilities like the Centro Olímpico de Treinamento e Pesquisa has created pathways for young athletes like her to pursue excellence. Her success brings pride to the São Paulo athletics community and inspires younger athletes training at the same facilities.

As Julia Santos Calabretti continues her athletic journey—balancing rigorous training, competition, and the physical demands of pole vaulting—she embodies the dedication and ambition that define elite athletes. With each competition, she writes another chapter in her story, one that she hopes will eventually include Olympic competition and podium finishes at the world’s most prestigious athletics events.

Go Julia!