Juliana de Menis Campos soars to women’s pole vault gold at 2026 South American Games in Santa Fe

The track and field program at the 2026 South American Games in Santa Fe, Argentina, held from September 22–25, 2026, saved some of its most spectacular vertical drama for the infield. Against the backdrop of an enthusiastic continental crowd, the women’s pole vault final provided an exceptional exhibition of athletic choreography, courage, and runway acceleration. When the crossbar was adjusted for the final time, it was Brazil’s premier vaulter Juliana de Menis Campos who stood atop the standings, capturing the gold medal with a stellar clearance of 4.40 meters.

Campos’ victory underscored her technical supremacy in the region, fortifying Brazil’s rich and historic tradition in the horizontal and vertical jumps on the South American stage.

The pole vault is often described as one of the most demanding disciplines in track and field, requiring an intricate blend of maximum sprinting velocity, gymnastic flexibility, and intense mental focus. As the competition commenced under optimal afternoon conditions in Santa Fe, the initial bar clearances went smoothly for the field, but the competition truly ignited as the bar ascended past the 4.00-meter mark.

Juliana de Menis Campos showcased her elite international pedigree by electing to pass the lower opening heights, entering the fray with effortless confidence. Displaying a rhythmic, explosive approach down the runway and an immaculate pole plant, she cleared her progressive heights on her first attempts. With her competitors faltering as the bar climbed higher, Campos sealed her gold medal with a decisive, clean vault over 4.40 meters. Secure in her victory, the Brazilian standout celebrated with the traveling delegation, solidifying her standing as a dominant vertical jumper on the continent.

While Campos orchestrated her golden masterclass, a highly competitive battle materialized on the mats for the remaining podium positions. Brazil secured a glittering one-two finish in the event as Beatriz Chagas claimed the silver medal. Chagas pushed her training partner through the middle vertical rounds, successfully clearing a highly respectable height of 4.30 meters. Her performance was characterized by wonderful aerial mechanics, ensuring that the Brazilian flag would occupy the top two positions during the evening’s medal presentation.

Joining the Brazilian duo on the podium was Colombia’s rising star, Luna Brigitte Pabón. Pabón showcased impressive fighting spirit throughout the afternoon, maintaining a clean scorecard through the early heights to pressure her rivals. She ultimately locked down the bronze medal by clearing a superb height of 4.25 meters. The clearance marked an important achievement for the Colombian contingent, highlighting Pabón’s steady rise within the continental ranks.

The intense nature of championship field events was further illustrated by the performances of the remaining elite finalists who pushed their physical limits in Santa Fe. Finishing just outside the podium positions in fourth place was Argentina’s home-crowd favorite, Carolina Scarponi. Buoyed by the passionate roars of the local fans lining the stadium barriers, Scarponi put together a courageous series of attempts, ultimately vaulting over a solid 4.00-meter threshold. While she lacked the late-round responses to match the top three, her performance earned widespread applause from the local spectators.

Rounding out the elite top five was Paraguay’s Josefina Britez, who registered a best clearance of 3.60 meters. Britez managed her runway approach beautifully in the opening stages of the afternoon, relying on steady technique to navigate the early heights and protect her standing within the final top five of a world-class field.

The women’s pole vault final at the 2026 South American Games will be remembered as a triumphant showcase for Juliana de Menis Campos, but it also reflects the ascending standards across the continent. With multiple athletes safely breaching the 4.00-meter barrier and pushing toward international benchmarks, the region’s infrastructure and coaching in the vertical jumps continue to bear fruit.

As the track and field program in Santa Fe concludes a memorable week of elite athletics, Campos’ golden flight stands as a definitive highlight—a brilliant combination of explosive power and aerial elegance that set a new benchmark for South American vaulting.