ALYSHA NEWMAN
Born: 29 JUN. 1994
Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Country: Canada
Alysha Eveline Newman is more than just a world-class pole vaulter; she’s a pioneer in both sports and personal empowerment. As the first Canadian woman to ever medal in Olympic pole vaulting, Alysha has secured her place in Canadian sports history.
From her beginnings as a young gymnast to her groundbreaking bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Newman’s journey is one of relentless determination, breaking barriers, and inspiring the next generation of athletes.
Early Life and Athletic Beginnings
Born in Delaware, Ontario (Canada), on June 29, 1994. Newman’s athletic career didn’t begin with pole vaulting, it began with gymnastics. She started gymnastics at a young age, where she developed a foundation of strength, flexibility, and body control that would later become crucial in her pole vaulting career. However, her gymnastics dreams came to an abrupt end at the age of 13 when she suffered a lower back injury, forcing her to leave the sport she loved.
Instead of giving up on sports altogether, Newman explored other athletic pursuits, including ice hockey and diving. But it was fate, or perhaps just a keen coach, that guided her towards track and field. With her background in gymnastics, a coach saw potential in Newman and encouraged her to try pole vaulting. The skills she had honed in gymnastics, translated perfectly to the discipline of vaulting. Newman attended Mother Teresa Secondary School in her hometown, where she began to take pole vaulting seriously.
In high school, Alysha Newman quickly stood out as a promising talent in athletics. She represented Canada at the World Junior Championships in Barcelona, Spain, and secured first place at the Canadian Junior Championships. Remarkably, she became the first Canadian female high school student to clear 4 meters in pole vault, achieving a record-breaking jump of 4.06 meters in Canadian interscholastic history. Her achievements also included a 12th place finish at the 2011 World Youth Games. This transition would mark the beginning of her journey to becoming one of the world’s best.
What Has Alysha Newman Achieved in Sports? Year-by-Year Breakdown
Alysha Newman’s pole vaulting career showcases her remarkable achievements, from national records to international medals. Here’s an updated breakdown of her notable results:
2013
- Eastern Michigan University: Won the Mid-American Conference title with a vault of 4.23meter and placed 12th at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
- Jeux de la Francophonie: Placed 5th in the pole vault.
- Canadian Championships: 3rd place with 4.00 meters.
2014
- University of Miami: Placed 3rd at the ACC Indoor Championships with a 4.35-meter vault and 5th at the NCAA Indoors.
- Commonwealth Games, Glasgow: Won bronze with 3.80 meters.
- Canadian Championships: 3rd place with 4.10 meters.
2015
- University of Miami: Finished 2nd at the ACC Outdoor with a 4.31-meter vault, placing 9th at the NCAA Outdoors.
- Canadian Championships: Silver with 4.20 meters.
2016
- University of Miami: Broke the school, ACC and Canadian national records with 4.60 meters at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational.
- NCAA Championships: Silver in the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
- Olympic Games, Rio: Finished 17th in pole vault qualification.
- Canadian Championships: Won gold with 4.40 meters.
2017
- Set a new Canadian record of 4.71 meters at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational.
- World Championships, London: Finished 7th, vaulting 4.65 meters.
- Canadian Championships: Won with 4.65 meters.
2018
- Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast: Won gold with 4.75 meters, setting a new Games record.
- World Indoor Championships: Finished 6th with a 4.70-meter vault.
- Canadian Championships: Won with 4.45 meters.
2019
- Pan American Games, Lima: Earned bronze with 4.55 meters.
- Set a new Canadian record of 4.82 meters at the Diamond League, Paris.
- World Championships, Doha: Finished 5th with 4.80 meters.
- Canadian Championships: Won with 4.56 meters.
2020-2021
- Tokyo Olympics: Did not qualify after no-marking in the qualification rounds (NM).
- Continued to recover from injuries, including a concussion.
2022
- Canadian Championships: Won with 4.40 meters. Did not reach the final at the World Championships.
2023
- World Athletics Indoor Tour: Claimed victory in the pole vault series, clearing a best of 4.78 meters.
- Canadian Championships: Won with 4.73 meters.
2024
- Paris Olympics: Achieved a career peak by winning the bronze medal with a vault of 4.85 meters, a new Canadian record, becoming the first Canadian woman to win an Olympic pole vault medal.
How Did Alysha Newman Perform at the 2024 Olympics?
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris were monumental for Alysha Newman and for Canadian athletics. Competing against the best pole vaulters in the world, Newman rose to the occasion, clearing a remarkable 4.85 meters to secure the bronze medal. This achievement not only marked a new Canadian national record, but also made her the first Canadian woman to ever medal in pole vaulting at the Olympic Games.
Newman’s historic leap in Paris wasn’t just about winning a medal; it was about inspiring the next generation of Canadian athletes. Her performance symbolized the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and dedication. It also demonstrated her ability to compete with the best in the world and succeed on the biggest stage.
Alysha Newman’s OnlyFans Move: Bold Branding or Just Good Business?
In 2023, Alysha Newman surprised many by joining OnlyFans, a platform often associated with adult content, but one that she used to share personal content and control her narrative. For the Canadian pole vault star, this was a strategic move toward empowerment and self-expression.
Newman faced criticism but remained unapologetic, stating, “I want to show that I’m in control of my image and my brand.” She saw this as a way to push back against societal norms that often pigeonhole female athletes, particularly when it comes to expressing their femininity.
This decision aligned with her broader philosophy of independence, something she’s carried throughout her athletic career. As she puts it, joining OnlyFans was a chance to “own my story and my body in a way that I hadn’t before”, while also highlighting that women shouldn’t have to choose between athleticism and femininity. The decision, although controversial, was part of a growing trend of athletes leveraging platforms like OnlyFans for financial independence and direct fan engagement.
After her 2024 Olympic bronze medal win, Newman celebrated with a twerking dance, which went viral and highlighted her lively personality. She described it as a fun way to mark her success and show that “you can be powerful, feminine, and have fun all at once.” Newman’s comfort in expressing herself both on and off the field underscores her commitment to being authentic.
As she continues to break records in pole vaulting, Newman’s OnlyFans presence represents a bold stand for financial freedom, personal empowerment, and a refusal to be defined by the limits society places on female athletes.
RELATED: Best 20 Stunning Bikini Pictures of Alysha Newman and The Best 20 Sports Images of Alysha Newman.
