Sakari Famous On Upcoming Championships
High jumper Sakari Famous will head into the National Championships at the Flora Duffy Stadium this weekend full of confidence after breaking her national record.
The 26-year-old, ranked 101st in the world, cleared 1.85 metres [6ft ¾in] to win her event at the John Green/Texas Greatest Athlete Invitational in Texas last weekend.
“My outdoor season has just started – it’s been a pretty good start so far,” Famous told Bernews. “I just need to continue progressing as I build towards the Commonwealth Games [in Glasgow, in July and August].
Famous will be the sole women’s high jumper when she competes at the Championships on Sunday [June 21].
“Hopefully, soon that will change and we produce some more jumpers,” she said.
“It’s always great competing at home, surrounded by friends and family.
“It’s cool seeing the younger athletes perform, too.”
Famous said she is enjoying life as a professional athlete while training under coach Marissa Chew, an assistant vertical jumps/combined events coach at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.
Her main priority this season will be the Commonwealth Games, where she hopes to improve on her showing at the previous Games in Birmingham four years ago.
She placed eighth in qualifying with a jump of 1.76 metres.
“It helps to have competed at that level before – I have a vibe of what to expect,” she added.
“It was a great experience and, hopefully, I can build upon it in Glasgow.”
Sakari Famous breaks her national record
