Unranked to Second in the World within 12 months

This time last year, I wasn’t even long jumping because the knee injury I sustained in 2004. During 2005, there were numerous times during training that I wondered why I was even bothering and I was ready to give athletics away. Luckily I’m stubborn, I enjoy a challenge and I stuck to it.

Much of my ambition to compete in the Commonwealth Games this year was fuelled by my disappointment after placing 6th in 2002. Although sixth in the Commonwealth is commendable, I was the favourite going into the event. I remember so vividly waking up the day after my final and thinking it was a bad dream. Everyone tried to console me with motivational comments like: “That which does not kill you will only make you stronger.” I didn’t want to hear them and I was too disappointed to make any sense of them. As months passed, I made myself assess my performance the Games. I realised that if I had won in Manchester, I wouldn’t have appreciated a Commonwealth Gold Medal so maybe I wasn’t deserving. Not achieving the goal of winning 2002 Commonwealth Games, gradually changed me into a tougher athlete, it ignited desire within me and I finally understood and agreed with the comments like the one above.

I’ve overcome a number of hurdles along the way, predominantly knee injuries. Every time I’m struck down, I need to find more determination to get back up. Standing on the podium in Melbourne this year at the MCG was my most proud moment as an athlete. I truly believe I appreciated that gold medal more than any other athlete at the Games. Every athlete has their story - what their successes and failures mean to them and how they shape them not only as an athlete but also as a person.

After my success in Melbourne, I realised I had returned to athletics and my knee was no longer going to stop me from reaching my potential. My focus returned to being the best in the world, not just the best in the Commonwealth. This year in Europe has been my best series of jumps internationally and as a result I’m ranked number 2 in the world.

With one last high ranking event on the calendar - World Cup (September 16-17th), I have one last opportunity to post a performance good enough to boost me to the top of the rankings. To move into the number one spot, I will have to jump a personal best (or near my PB) and win World Cup. World Cup is being held in Athens, at the same track I placed 4th to the three Russians at the Olympics in 2004. Only one Russian is jumping in World Cup and I’m certain that being in that stadium will remind me of my result from 2 years ago and ensure I don’t concede to another Russian. To add to the equation, I have stirred up a back problem on the weekend and my attitude is towards this injury is:

That which does not kill me will only make me stronger!

I’m going to fight harder than anyone else to be number one in the world.

Other Aussie athletes ranked in the top 5 in the world at present are:
Paul Burgess - 1
Steve Hooker - 2
Nathan Deakes - 2
Jane Saville - 4
Sarah Jamieson -5
Victoria Mitchell - 5