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BIOGRAPHYA talented junior hurdler, Hannah Jones would miss the 2014 World Juniors crashing out in the 100m hurdles final at the Australian team trials. But nine years later, she makes her Australian debut at the world championships in Budapest 2023. + + + + + Rising star Hannah Jones has hurdled numerous challengers in her life, both on and off the track. Mid-teens Jones was still combining athletics with netball (NSW U15 talent squad member) and touch football. Now 18, in 2014 she was set to represent Australia until a mishap. In the 100m hurdles at the Australian U20 Championships and World Junior team trials, she was in great form. In the 100m hurdles heats she defeated Liz Clay to win her heat in the fastest time amongst the finalists – 13.87. But alas, the final did not go to plan, crashing out, not finishing and missing the Australian team. After she resumed racing in 2019, she reduced her times to 13.45/13.40w. But during the 2020/21 season, now under coach-Pearson, the times started to tumble. Before Christmas she ran 100m (11.86) and 200m (23.99) PBs along with a promising 100m hurdles time of 13.26 slightly wind-assisted. In 2021 she ran five personal bests 13.11, 13.03, 13.01, 12.94 and 12.91 - moving to number four in Australian history and collecting silver in the national championships behind Liz Clay whom she had defeated seven years earlier in the heats at the national junior championships. Nine years after she missed the 2014 World Junior team, Hannah Jones makes her Australian team debut at the World Championships in Budapest 2023. + + + + + Training under Olympic champion Sally Pearson, she transformed Jones. “I have had so many personal battles that have taught me resilience and dedication to the things you love in life. All of these have taught me to fight harder for my goals.” Most influential person in your career: My mum has been the biggest influence. She gave up so much to drive me over an hour each way to Sydney and back three times a week for training before I finished high school. She has been my biggest supporter of all things athletics and encouraged me to chase my dreams all the way to Queensland…. Highest moment of your sporting career: Her 2021 breakthrough season. The heat at nationals, running my first ever sub-13, was the highest moment to date...Sporting ambition: I have always dreamed of competing at the Olympics. However, my ambition changes with my abilities as my expectations and goals for myself grow. I never want to be a place filler at these majors but rather work to become a real contender...What do you like most about athletics: I love the highly technical nature of the sport and my event, and that there is always something to improve on. I love the individual nature of the sport meaning you are the only one accountable for how hard you work and your performance. @ August 2023 david.tarbotton@athletics.org.au World Athletics Profile https://worldathletics.org/athletes/australia/hannah-jones-14411163
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