Commonwealth Games

The 2018 Commonwealth Games have been and gone and my goodness, it was a special one for me. I had a couple of busy weeks to let it soak in and now I'm finally putting some words down.

Track back a couple weeks ago, I was packing as little gear as I could into a small duffle bag, heading to the airport on my way to a major champs an hour and half away. This was very different. No major time zone change, no massive flights around the world, weather was practically the same, it was weird but at the same time it was awesome!

We headed into team camp and trained at Nudgee College in Brisbane where the track was pretty nice. A couple days in and I had my final competition before Comm Games which was at QE2, Brisbane. The competition was pretty good considering the track wasn't that bouncy, I finished off with 2.26 to take out the win which I was pretty pleased with considering it was my final hit out.

We finished off camp and headed into the Commonwealth Games Village and from the get go it was all smiles. We grabbed our luggage and found our rooms where I found out I was rooming with Matt Denny (Hammer and Discus Throw). Dane Bird-Smith (20km Walk) and Kyle Cranston (Decathlon) were in the other room. Bloody legendary. Our room was next door to the swimming pool which was also legendary.

Anywho fast forwarding to the good stuff.

9th April. Qualifying.

The men's high jump was in the morning session which made for an early wake up. I warmed up well and felt like I was ready to go. Like any major champs, you have to make sure you treat the qualifying similarly to a final. Because really, you can't win a medal if you don't make the final. With 20 men on the start list and the usual final being made up of 12, I knew what I had to do.

*Jumpy jumpy stuff*

Through to the final with 2.21m and 12 other athletes. Job 1 done.

2 days later the final arrived. My previous major champs finals have not gone quite to plan but I was ready to change that. Body warmed up well again and we were on. 

*More jumpy tings*

Something I will remember for the rest of my life. Winning a Gold Medal in front of my family, friends, team mates and an Aussie crowd. Finding those close to me (eventually... sorry Laura) and sharing this emotional moment with them. Absolutely phenomenal!! Not to mention the PB of 2.32m. Just so unreal.

Thank you all for your support and messages. So grateful to have so many people behind me on this journey of mine.