![]() |
|
![]() |
BIOJust four years ago in 2018, Jai Gordon decided to start athletics training to get fitter for AFL. He is now the fourth fastest Australian junior 100m sprinter ever and spearheads record depth in Australian junior men’s sprinting. Over eight weeks in 2022 he smashed his PB on five occasions, and finished with a National U20 title (10.28) and selection in the Australian team for the World U20 Championships. + + + Jai’s progress in early 2021 was significant, not just in his best time, but consistency and series of marks. He clocked bests of 10.59 and 21.67 and ran five sub-10.70 times. He claimed a silver medal in the U20 100m and was fourth in the 200m. He was selected in the Australian U20 team, which didn’t travel to Kenya due to the pandemic. Keen for a big 2021/22 summer, early season it did not go as he hoped. His first race would be January 29, just two weeks after resuming training. In June, he missed competitions on the Gold Coast and in Mackay, due to an inflamed right Achilles. Education: Studying Clinical Exercise Physiology at USQ, Toowoomba…Occupation: a trainer at Willows Health and Lifestyle Centre. Strength, conditioning and track coach at Toowoomba Grammar School and Toowoomba Anglican School…Enjoyment of competing: It makes you constantly re-evaluate yourself and your performances and find ways to improve them. I also like the brotherhood that I have with my competitors and the positive environment (and great performances) it creates… Biggest challenge: ongoing problem from a torn hip flexor at his first national championships in 2018…Biggest Influence: There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child, I believe it takes a city to raise an athlete so to single out one person as the most influential person is hard because there are so many that have helped to get me to where I am today. In saying that, my coach Jackie Gallagher is a huge influence as she helps me both on and off the track….Interesting facts: Played the Trombone in school. @ 1 July 2022 david.tarbotton@athletics.org.au
|