Brooke Stratton - Pre IAAF World Junior Championships

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Category: Brooke Stratton

Matt: Competition kicks-off today how has the lead up been for you?
Brooke: My lead up to these championships hasn’t been perfect as I had been dealing with a foot injury before I left for Germany. Fortunately whilst I have been over here it has settled down and I have been able to train and compete with no pain. Apart from that, everything has been going really well and I believe I have done everything possibly right to give myself a good chance this week.

Matt: What has your training involved leading into the event?
Brooke: Leading into this event, my training has consisted of a lot of speed work, technical jumps sessions, gym sessions and some cross training.

Matt: How does it differ leading into an event to normal training?
Brooke: Leading into a big event, I drop my gym from two sessions a week to one session a week which allows me to freshen up a bit and get the most out of my jumping sessions. My training will also involve a lot of short fast sprints, generally anything between 30-60m, which gets my legs turning over fast. Jumping wise, my sessions involve some take-off drills, pop ups, short approach jumps and a fair few run-up sessions to get my run up and running consistent.

Matt: Now you have had a little issue with your foot over the last month, how is that holding up?
Brooke: After having a cortisone injection into my foot 2 weeks before I left, I feel it has improved significantly. When I left Melbourne for Germany, my foot still wasn’t feeling 100% and it was a little bit sore in the Mannheim competition where I jumped 6.42m. In our second competition in Karlsruhe I was jumping without any pain and I have been able to get in 2 solid weeks of training with no pain, so I see this as a huge step forward.

Matt: You compete on the 12th, which is also your b'day, do you think that is a sign?
Brooke: Lets hope It is a good sign. It is pretty special being able to compete on your birthday at a World Championships so hopefully it brings a good result and I achieve one of my goals of qualifying for the final the following day.

Matt: Champs are being held in Barcelona in Spain, what has been the highlight so far of Barcelona for you?
Brooke: Since I’ve been in Barcelona, I haven’t been able to do a great deal of sight seeing but the highlight for me so far has been seeing the stadium. I have never competed at an Olympic stadium before, so to see something so incredible was mind blowing.

Matt: What does it mean for you to represent Australia at this competition against the best athletes from around the world?
Brooke: Representing Australia and getting the opportunity to compete against the best junior long jumpers from around the world is a huge honour for me. Although I have experienced it several times before, it never takes the special feeling away from it. Putting on the Australian uniform automatically brings to me a sense of pride and value, so I am really looking forward to what I can achieve.

Matt: What is your typical mindset during warm up?
Brooke: I like to keep a positive mindset, focus on myself and what I’m there to do.

Matt: Do you have a favourite sport/team you support?
Brooke: Collingwood

Matt: Which famous person/character do you think you look the most like?
Brooke: I actually don’t think I look like anyone? haha

Matt: Anything you would like to say to your fans/supporters?
Brooke: I would like the thank everyone for there encouragement. It truly means a lot to me and I appreciate it so much.

Brooke will be competing from 5.40pm our time today, watch her live here