The recently minted senior women’s javelin champion set a PB of 55.26m en route to taking the title. Here the Aucklander gives a little of herself by answering our quickfire questions.
What is your best athletics quality?
I’d probably have to say my shoulder, I’ve always been able to throw pretty far (softball, cricket etc.)
Why would you encourage anyone to try athletics?
I love the ownership you have over your sport, the sense that it is all on you, win or loss. Also, I enjoy the diversity of training!
Who was your first coach and how did they influence your career?
Nabojsa Zagorac. He was fantastic and talked me into dropping my other sports to focus on javelin whilst keeping all training enjoyable (I think this can be lost for some athletes while they are young).
What are your athletics weaknesses?
Physically – Plyometrics, I have bad knees which inhibits doing them too much but we are slowly increasing the volume as my knees improve. Mentally – patience, this has been a hard lesson this season.
What is the funniest thing you’ve seen on an athletics track?
Hmmm, I laugh every day at training but can’t think of anything specific during competition. Last year my javelin barely missed an unsuspecting bird that came out of nowhere.
What is your favourite athletics session?
Throwing hands down, nothing beats a good throws session when a technical work-on clicks into place.
What is the greatest thing you’ve witnessed in an athletics stadium?
Recently, it was Lisa Adams during nationals. Her word record throw was during my javelin competition and the celebration from the crowd energised me for one of my bigger throws of the day.
Who has been your toughest rival?
Honestly myself, enabling myself to throw in a calm state has always been a struggle for me but when I do it always means a PB.
If you could star in another sport which sport would it be?
Rugby. A fantastic sport. I quit shortly after starting javelin (a broken collar bone meant I was given an ultimatum).
When travelling to a meeting what is the most important item in your suitcase?
Presuming I have my spikes and a spear. A good book. I find reading relaxes and focuses me before competing.
What is your greatest regret?
Not becoming a student of my own sport earlier. Also, not taking ownership of my progress for (far) too many years.
Who is the person who most admire?
Specific to javelin: Kathryn Mitchell (the Commonwealth javelin champion from Australia). I was beyond lucky to have a training camp with her last year. She is inspirational in every way as an athlete and not to mention a sincere and kind person. Also, being a close friend of Nicole Bradley’s (woman’s hammer thrower) is heartening, no one I know works harder for what they want.
What are you most scared of?
Not trying, I can deal with failure but not pushing myself isn’t an option.
What is your favourite movie and why?
Step Brothers, I laugh harder each time I watch it.
When was the last time you looked at your athletics medals?
Usually only when I add one to the mix.