Ashton Eaton Completes Long Jump After Being Hit in the Head By PV Bar

Not even a pole vault accident could prevent Ashton Eaton from competing in two events at the USATF Indoor Championships. The World Champio

Mar 12, 2016 by Taylor Dutch

Ashton Eaton Completes Long Jump After Being Hit in the Head By PV Bar

PORTLAND, Ore. — Not even a pole vault accident could prevent Ashton Eaton from competing in two events at the USATF Indoor Championships.

The World Champion decathlete was standing on the right side of the pole vault pit when the bar fell on top of his head, giving him a gash which required six stitches, but only after he completed the long jump competition Friday at the Oregon Convention Center.

.@AshtonJEaton = Worlds Greatest Athlete

Also, fastest to recover from a head wound (probably) #USATFindoors pic.twitter.com/CrBf0FR7Hg
— USATF (@usatf) March 12, 2016

Eaton finished out the long jump with a sixth-place finish overall in a mark of 7.60m. He also competed in the 60m dash earlier in the day, where he finished eighth in the first heat.

After the conclusion of the meet, Eaton posted messages from his Twitter account that confirmed he had received stitches. He also reassured fans that despite the unexpected injury, he would be ready to defend his World indoor title next week.

Got jacked up tonight. Got owned in 60m. Sub par LJ, & hit with the PV crossbar; 6 stitches! Ready 4 #Portland2016 pic.twitter.com/cGQLj4ViSc
— Ashton Eaton (@AshtonJEaton) March 12, 2016