SYDNEY :Australia's Olympic and world champion pole vaulter Nina Kennedy has pulled out of this month's World Athletics Championships in Tokyo because of a leg injury.

Kennedy, who last year became the first Australian woman to win Olympic gold in a field event, underwent hamstring surgery in April after three strains in six weeks.

Despite not having competed since September last year, Kennedy said last week that she was determined to defend her title in Japan on a wildcard.

Another injury setback forced her to reassess, however.

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