Molly Caudery is a 26‑year‑old British pole vaulter who has twice won the World Indoor Championships and holds the British national record of 4.92 m. In June 2026 she underwent emergency spinal surgery – a microdiscectomy – and was ruled out for the remainder of the season, missing the Commonwealth Games and European Championships.
Born in Cornwall on 17 March 2000, Caudery competes for England and Great Britain. She has rapidly become one of the most recognisable names in British athletics, but her path has been marked by a series of untimely injuries.
Her latest setback came just days after she won the Rome Diamond League with a season‑best 4.80 m. The sudden back flare‑up required immediate surgery, ending her 2026 campaign and raising questions about her return to competition.
Who is Molly Caudery?
| Full name | Molly Caudery |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 March 2000 (age 26) |
| Sport | Athletics – Pole Vault |
| Notable achievement | Double world indoor champion (2024, 2026), British record holder (4.92 m) |
- Molly Caudery is a Cornish athlete who won silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 2024 European Championships.
- She became the first British pole vaulter to win a world title at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow.
- Her British record of 4.92 m was set at the Toulouse Capitole Perche meet on 22 June 2024.
- In June 2026 she underwent an emergency microdiscectomy after a sudden back flare‑up, ending her season.
- She has a history of unusual injuries, including a “freak ankle injury” that forced her to miss the 2025 Tokyo World Championships and a previous gym accident that nearly cost her a finger.
- Caudery is sponsored by adidas, Red Bull, NordicTrack and iFit.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 17 March 2000 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 26 years |
| Height | Not officially published; Wikipedia estimates ~1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Weight | Not officially published; Wikipedia lists ~60 kg – uncertain |
| Personal best (indoor) | 4.85 m (2026 World Indoor title) |
| Personal best (outdoor) | 4.92 m (British record, 2024) |
| Major titles | World indoor champion (2024, 2026), British champion (2023) |
| Surgery | Microdiscectomy – June 2026 |
What are Molly Caudery’s personal bests and career achievements?
What is Molly Caudery’s personal best in pole vault?
Caudery’s highest ever clearance is 4.92 m, set outdoors in Toulouse on 22 June 2024. That mark stands as the British national record. Indoors, her best is 4.85 m, which she jumped to win her second world indoor title in Poland in 2026. Earlier in her career she progressively improved through 4.71 m (2023), 4.75 m (2023 World Championships), and 4.83 m, 4.85 m, 4.86 m (all 2024). Wikipedia – Molly Caudery
Caudery’s 4.92 m made her the first British woman to hold the national outdoor record outright, surpassing a mark that had stood for years. She also holds the British indoor record with 4.85 m, set during her 2026 world indoor victory.
What titles has Molly Caudery won?
- World Indoor Championships: Gold in 2024 (Glasgow, 4.80 m) and 2026 (Poland, 4.85 m). She is Great Britain’s first world champion in the pole vault.
- Commonwealth Games: Silver in 2022.
- European Championships: Bronze in 2024.
- British Championships: Winner in 2023.
- World Championships (outdoor): 5th in the final at Budapest 2023.
Sources: Wikipedia, Athletics Weekly, BBC Sport.
What happened to Molly Caudery? The story behind her emergency spinal surgery
When did Molly Caudery have spinal surgery?
On 13 June 2026, Caudery announced that she required emergency spinal surgery. The decision came after a sudden “back flare‑up” that deteriorated rapidly. The procedure, a microdiscectomy, was performed the same day and was reported as successful. BBC Sport
What is a microdiscectomy?
A microdiscectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part of a herniated or damaged spinal disc that is pressing on a nerve root. It is typically performed to relieve pain, numbness, or weakness caused by disc compression. In Caudery’s case, the surgery was necessary to prevent further damage and allow recovery. RunBlogRun
How long will Molly Caudery be out of competition?
As of the announcement, Caudery has been ruled out for the entire 2026 season. She will miss the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the European Championships in Birmingham. No specific timeline for her return has been released, and the recovery period for a microdiscectomy in an elite athlete can vary from several months to a year or more. Athletics Weekly
No official statement has been made regarding Caudery’s readiness for the 2027 season. The high‑impact nature of pole vaulting means rehabilitation will be closely monitored by her medical team. Fans and analysts await further updates from British Athletics or Caudery herself.
How tall is Molly Caudery? And other personal stats
How much does Molly Caudery weigh?
Caudery’s official height and weight are not published by World Athletics or her governing body. Wikipedia lists an approximate height of 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) and weight of around 60 kg, but these figures are not confirmed by primary sources. Her build is typical of an elite pole vaulter – lean and powerful.
Unlike many athletes who have personal statistics listed on their World Athletics profile, Caudery’s entry does not include explicit height or weight measurements. This makes the Wikipedia estimates the most commonly cited, though they should be treated as unverified.
Who is Molly Caudery’s partner?
Is Molly Caudery in a relationship?
There is no public information about Molly Caudery’s relationship status. She does not discuss a partner on her social media accounts (Instagram and Facebook), and no reliable source has reported on a romantic partner. Any claims about her relationship status remain speculative.
What is the timeline of Molly Caudery’s career and injury?
- 17 March 2000 – Born in Cornwall, England.
- 2018 – Selected for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
- 2022 – Wins silver at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
- 2023 – Wins the British Championships and finishes 5th at the World Championships in Budapest.
- 22 June 2024 – Sets British record of 4.92 m in Toulouse.
- 2024 – Wins world indoor gold in Glasgow (4.80 m). Also takes bronze at the European Championships.
- 2025 – Misses the World Championships in Tokyo due to a “freak ankle injury”.
- March 2026 – Retains world indoor title in Poland with 4.85 m.
- 4 June 2026 – Wins Rome Diamond League with season‑best 4.80 m.
- 13 June 2026 – Undergoes emergency microdiscectomy; ruled out for the rest of the season.
Sources: Wikipedia, BBC Sport, RunBlogRun.
What is known and what remains uncertain about Molly Caudery?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Born 17 March 2000 in Cornwall. | Exact height and weight not officially confirmed. |
| Double world indoor champion (2024, 2026). | Partner status is unknown – no public relationship information exists. |
| British record holder with 4.92 m outdoor. | Full recovery timeline after microdiscectomy has not been announced. |
| Underwent microdiscectomy on 13 June 2026. | Outdoor personal best beyond 4.92 m is not widely tracked. |
| Sponsors include adidas, Red Bull, NordicTrack and iFit. | Whether she will compete in 2027 remains unconfirmed. |
What does Molly Caudery’s injury mean for her career?
Caudery’s rise has been one of the most notable in British pole vaulting. Her indoor dominance – two world titles – placed her among the world’s elite, but the outdoor stages have repeatedly eluded her. The 2024 Paris Olympics saw her fail to register a height; the 2025 Tokyo World Championships were wiped out by a freak ankle injury during the warm‑up. Now the microdiscectomy adds another significant interruption.
Spinal surgery for a pole vaulter is especially serious because the event involves high‑impact forces on the back during take‑off and landing. Rehabilitation typically requires months of careful strengthening and flexibility work. No official timeline has been released, but the athletics community is watching closely for signs of a return. For more on British athletes facing career challenges, read Bruce Mouat – Biography, Partner, Career and Net Worth.
Despite the setbacks, Caudery maintains strong sponsorship deals and an active social media presence, suggesting that her brand and marketability remain intact. Her resilience will be tested once again as she works towards a potential comeback.
Where can I find reliable sources about Molly Caudery?
“Emergency spinal surgery (microdisectomy) wasn’t on my 2026 bingo card… just like that, my season is over.”
– Molly Caudery, Instagram, 13 June 2026
For official statistics, the World Athletics profile is the most authoritative. The BBC Sport article provides the most detailed news on the surgery, while Wikipedia offers a broad career overview with citations. Her own Instagram and Facebook pages contain personal updates and sponsor content.
What is the key takeaway about Molly Caudery?
Molly Caudery is a double world indoor champion and British record holder whose career has been repeatedly interrupted by serious injuries. The 2026 microdiscectomy is her latest major setback, but her record of resilience suggests she may yet return to the top. For now, the athletics world waits for news of her recovery. For more on British athletes facing career challenges, read Bruce Mouat – Biography, Partner, Career and Net Worth.
Frequently asked questions about Molly Caudery
What is Molly Caudery’s Instagram handle?
@molly_caudery (Instagram).
What sponsors does Molly Caudery have?
adidas, Red Bull, NordicTrack, iFit.
How did Molly Caudery start pole vaulting?
She began as a local athlete in Cornwall and was selected for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Is Molly Caudery married?
No public information indicates she is married or has a partner.
What is a microdiscectomy?
A surgical procedure to remove part of a herniated spinal disc that is pressing on a nerve.
What was Molly Caudery’s result at the 2024 Olympics?
She failed to clear her initial height and did not register a mark in Paris.
Why did Molly Caudery miss the 2025 World Championships?
She suffered a “freak ankle injury” during the warm‑up and withdrew.
Has Molly Caudery ever won an outdoor world medal?
No. Her best outdoor world championship finish is 5th (2023).
Where is Molly Caudery from?
Cornwall, England.
What is the British pole vault record held by Molly Caudery?
4.92 m, set in Toulouse on 22 June 2024.
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Sarah Mills is Managing Editor at Southampton Wire, running the daily news list and publishing schedule.