News & Updates
Five Minutes With – Jacob Stockwell
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The 17-year-old New Zealand U18 100m champion made a huge impact during the summer season by scorching to a national U17 100m record of 10.73. We find out more about the Egmont Athletics sprinter as he answers our Five Minutes With questions.
What is your best athletics quality?
Stubbornness and determination. Once I have a goal set I won’t stop until I achieve it.
Why would you encourage anyone to try athletics?
I would encourage people to give athletics ago as it can help fine-tune sporting qualities that can be adapted for other codes.
Who was your first coach and how did they influence your career?
My first and current coach is Mohamed Elemam, who always nagged me to quit rugby and encouraged me to start athletics.
What are your athletics weaknesses?
My biggest weakness would be my laziness during the off-season. When there are no meets coming up, I find it hard to keep the same motivation to continue training.
What is the funniest things you’ve seen on an athletics track?
Probably when I attempted the javelin and smacked myself in the side of the head. Even I laughed at that as much as my coach.
What is your favourite athletics session?
Resistance work on the track with the sled and parachute. Completing a stride out after doing these sessions make you feel lighter and faster on your feet.
What is the greatest thing you’ve witnessed in an athletics stadium?
Watching my little sister, Kaley Stockwell, beat boys at our regional champs as there were no other girls in her age group!
Who has been your toughest rival?
Dominic Overend. When I first started he was the upcoming talent and the guy to beat.
If you could star in another sport which sport would it be?
Rugby Sevens. I played it at the Aims games and really enjoyed it because it is a short fast-paced game.
When travelling to a meeting what is the most important item in your suitcase?
Probably my headphones as they keep me relaxed pre-race.
What is your greatest regret?
It would be not starting athletics earlier. I only started at the end of my first year at high school. Sometimes I think of where I could be, if I had started earlier.
Who is the person you most admire?
Not just one person. The people I admire would be the mates I have made within the sport.
What are you most scared of?
I am injury prone so would have to say injuries. My most recent injury was a minor tear to my left quad after my first race of the season, which gave me a few issues throughout the season when not managed properly.
When was the last time you looked at your athletics medals?
When I packed them away in a shoe box!