Nerea Pérez Moltó

Spanish Pole Vault Athlete

Nerea Pérez Moltó is an emerging Spanish pole vaulter who represents Spain in national and international track and field competitions. Specializing in the technically demanding discipline of pole vault, Nerea has established herself as a competitive athlete within Spain’s growing community of women pole vaulters.

Track and Field Accomplishments

Pole Vault Specialty

Nerea competes exclusively in the pole vault, an event that requires exceptional strength, speed, technical precision, and courage. The pole vault is one of track and field’s most spectacular and challenging disciplines, demanding years of dedicated training to master the complex technique of converting horizontal speed into vertical height while navigating the mechanics of the pole.

Personal Bests and Performance

Nerea’s personal best in pole vault stands at 3.95 meters, which she achieved on February 23, 2025, at an indoor competition in Gallur, Madrid, Spain. This performance demonstrates her ability to clear heights approaching four meters, a significant milestone in women’s pole vaulting that requires elite-level athleticism and technical proficiency.

Her 3.95-meter clearance translates to a scoring performance of 944 points according to World Athletics’ scoring tables, placing her among Spain’s competitive pole vaulters in her age category. This height represents clearing a bar set nearly 13 feet in the air, showcasing the remarkable athletic achievement required in this event.

Current World Standing

As of 2025, Nerea holds the #478 world ranking in women’s pole vault. While this places her outside the very top tier of global pole vaulters, it demonstrates her competitiveness within the large international field of women who compete in this specialized event. World rankings in pole vault are particularly competitive given the technical nature of the event and the depth of talent across multiple continents.

Her world ranking reflects consistent competition and performance at meets throughout Spain and potentially at international competitions, as World Athletics rankings are calculated based on performances over a rolling 12-month period with points awarded based on the quality and level of competitions.

Athletic Profile and Development

Training and Technique

Pole vaulting requires a unique combination of skills that few other track and field events demand. Athletes must possess sprinting speed for the approach run, gymnastic body awareness for the vault phase, upper body and core strength to control the pole, and mental toughness to launch themselves skyward while trusting their technique.

As an athlete competing at the 3.95-meter level, Nerea has developed proficiency in all phases of the vault: the approach run, the plant and takeoff, the swing and extension up the pole, the turn and pull, and the clearance over the bar. Each phase requires precise timing and coordination, and athletes can spend years perfecting the subtle technical adjustments that lead to height improvements.

Training for pole vault typically involves a comprehensive program including:

• Sprint training to develop approach speed
• Gymnastics and bodyweight exercises for body control and awareness
• Strength training, particularly for the core, shoulders, and upper body
• Technical drilling on all phases of the vault
• Actual vaulting practice with progressive height attempts
• Flexibility work to achieve optimal positions during the vault

Competition Experience

Competing under the athlete code 14829629 registered with World Athletics, Nerea participates in track and field competitions sanctioned by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation (Real Federación Española de Atletismo – RFEA). Her competition history includes indoor meets, as evidenced by her indoor personal best, as well as outdoor competitions throughout the Spanish athletics season.

Spanish pole vaulters benefit from a competitive domestic circuit that includes regional championships, national championships at various age levels, and opportunities to compete against international athletes at meets hosted in Spain. The indoor season, running roughly from January through March, provides crucial competition opportunities during the European winter months.

The Spanish Pole Vault Context

Growing Women’s Pole Vault in Spain

Nerea competes during an exciting era for Spanish women’s pole vault. Spain has produced several talented women pole vaulters in recent years, and the event has grown in popularity and competitive depth throughout the country. Spanish pole vaulters train at facilities across the country, from Barcelona to Madrid to Valencia, with many clubs now offering dedicated pole vault training programs.

The development of pole vault programs in Spain has been aided by improved facilities, qualified coaches who understand the technical demands of the event, and increased visibility of the sport through televised competitions and social media. Young athletes like Nerea benefit from this improved infrastructure and growing community of pole vault specialists.

National Competition

Within Spain, pole vaulters compete at various levels including regional championships, national age-group championships (U18, U20, U23), and the absolute (senior) Spanish Championships. These competitions provide regular opportunities to test progress, gain competitive experience, and vie for national titles and recognition.

Spanish national championships in pole vault have become increasingly competitive in recent years, with multiple women regularly clearing heights above 4 meters at the senior level. This rising standard pushes athletes like Nerea to continually improve their technique and performance to remain competitive within the national field.

Career Stage and Development

At 22 years old, Nerea is in an important developmental phase of her pole vaulting career. Athletes in this age range are typically transitioning from junior and under-23 competition to establishing themselves at the senior level. Many pole vaulters continue to make significant progress in their mid-20s as they gain experience, refine their technique, and develop the physical strength and mental confidence required for consistent high-level performance.

The pole vault is an event where athletes often peak in their mid-to-late 20s or even early 30s, as the technical mastery required takes years to fully develop. This means Nerea potentially has several more years of athletic development ahead of her, with room to continue improving her personal best and climbing both the Spanish and international rankings.

Training and Athletic Lifestyle

The Demands of Elite Pole Vaulting

Competing as an elite pole vaulter requires a significant commitment of time and resources. Training sessions typically occur 5-6 days per week and include:

• Technical vaulting sessions, which require access to specialized facilities with pole vault pits, runways, and a full range of poles
• Speed and sprint training to maintain and improve approach run velocity
• Strength and conditioning work to develop the power needed for explosive takeoffs
• Recovery and regeneration protocols to manage the physical demands of the sport
• Video analysis to review technique and identify areas for improvement
• Mental preparation and visualization work

Athletes must also manage the financial costs associated with pole vaulting, including competition fees, travel expenses, coaching fees, equipment costs (poles can cost hundreds or thousands of euros each), and training facility access.

Competition Schedule

The Spanish athletics season typically runs year-round with both indoor (January-March) and outdoor (April-September) competition periods. Elite pole vaulters like Nerea must balance training cycles with competition opportunities, carefully planning peak performances for the most important meets of the season.

Major targets on the Spanish calendar include the Spanish Indoor Championships (typically in February), Spanish Outdoor Championships (usually in July), and opportunities to compete at international meets where Spanish athletes can gain experience against international competition and achieve qualifying standards for major championships.

Representation and Athletic Identity

As a Spanish national team athlete registered with World Athletics, Nerea has the opportunity to represent Spain at international competitions when she achieves the required qualifying standards. Wearing the Spanish national team colors is a source of pride for athletes and represents the culmination of years of dedication to their sport.

Spanish athletics has a rich tradition, and contemporary Spanish track and field athletes benefit from improved support systems, professional coaching, and growing recognition of athletics achievements within Spanish sports culture. While Spain is perhaps better known internationally for football, basketball, and tennis, Spanish track and field athletes continue to make their mark on the European and world stages.

Future Potential and Goals

Continued Development

With a current personal best of 3.95 meters, Nerea stands on the cusp of the 4-meter barrier, a significant psychological and actual milestone in women’s pole vaulting. Breaking through to 4 meters and beyond would mark an important achievement in her career and could open doors to higher-level competitions and improved national and international rankings.

Technical improvements, continued strength development, and competitive experience could all contribute to future height increases. In pole vault, even small improvements in approach speed, pole selection, or technical execution can result in significant height gains.

Competitive Aspirations

As Nerea continues to develop as a pole vaulter, potential goals likely include:

• Breaking the 4-meter barrier and continuing to push her personal best higher
• Competing for medals at Spanish national championships
• Achieving qualifying standards for European Championships (U23 or senior level)
• Improving her world ranking to break into the top 300, top 200, or higher
• Representing Spain at international team competitions
• Gaining experience competing against elite international vaulters at meets across Europe

The Technical Art of Pole Vaulting

Understanding the Event

For those unfamiliar with pole vaulting, Nerea’s achievement of clearing 3.95 meters represents remarkable athletic accomplishment. The pole vault combines elements of:

Speed: Vaulters sprint down the runway at near-maximum velocity, with elite female vaulters reaching approach speeds of 8-9 meters per second.

Power: The takeoff requires explosive power to drive the pole into the box and convert horizontal speed into upward momentum.

Technique: The vault itself involves a complex sequence of movements that must be executed with precise timing—the plant, the swing, the extension, the turn, and the push-off.

Courage: Athletes must overcome the natural fear of launching themselves skyward on a flexible pole while maintaining technical focus.

Body Control: Gymnastic awareness is essential as vaulters invert themselves while traveling upward, then must clear the bar and land safely in the pit.

The margin for error is minimal—slight technical flaws can result in missed heights or, more concerningly, potential injury. This makes pole vault one of the most technically demanding and mentally challenging events in track and field.

The Community of Pole Vaulters

Pole vaulters, due to the specialized nature of their event, often form tight-knit communities. Athletes regularly share advice, celebrate each other’s achievements, and support one another through the unique challenges of the event. This camaraderie exists even among competitors, as pole vaulters understand the difficulty of what they’re attempting and respect the dedication required.

In Spain, the pole vault community has grown significantly, with social media allowing athletes to connect, share training videos, and support one another. This community aspect likely plays an important role in Nerea’s athletic experience and continued development.

Conclusion

Nerea Pérez Moltó represents the rising generation of Spanish women pole vaulters who are pushing the boundaries of what Spanish athletes can achieve in this demanding event. With a personal best approaching 4 meters and years of potential development ahead of her, Nerea continues to train and compete with the goal of reaching new heights in her athletic career.

Her journey in pole vaulting exemplifies the dedication, technical mastery, and courage required to compete in one of track and field’s most spectacular events. As she continues to develop and compete, Nerea contributes to the growth and competitiveness of Spanish women’s pole vaulting and carries forward the tradition of Spanish athletes striving for excellence on the track and field stage.

Through continued training, competition, and technical refinement, Nerea has the opportunity to achieve new personal bests, represent Spain at higher levels of competition, and inspire the next generation of young Spanish athletes who dream of soaring through the air with nothing but a pole and their determination.

Go Nerea!