Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Home track advantage could boost diminutive Breyton to new heights
SPEAKING on the eve of the competition of the South African Senior Track and Field Championships in Tshwane, 17-year- old World Youth champion, Breyton Poole is feeling very confident about his prospects for the third and final Liquid Telecom Athletix Grand Prix Series Meeting in Paarl on Thursday.
“It is my home track, my whole family is coming, so I really expect to do well,” said Poole.
“As the Coetzenburg track is currently under reconstruction, Dal Josaphat has become my home and I train there at least twice a week. I know the track and I enjoy jumping on it.”
Poole opened his 2018 campaign at the inaugural Athletix Grand Prix Series Meeting in Ruimsig on March 1 with a height of 2.15m.
South Africans have become used to seeing him jump over 2.20m and were a bit disappointed, but the youngster was quite happy.
“It was only my first competition of 2018 so I was not disappointed. I was expecting to go 2.15m and anything above that would have been a bonus for me. It is a long season and I need to get into shape progressively. So that was the perfect start for me.”
Poole shot to fame when he won the 2017 World Under-18 High Jump title in Nairobi, Kenya, in what he calls ‘the most incredible experience of his life’. There were 90 00095 000 people in the stands, singing, dancing and blowing the vuvuzela. Every performance was cheered on.
“It was out of this world. It didn’t matter which country you were from, you were loudly supported and that helped me to win the gold.”
Poole jumped a new personal best of 2.24m to win gold. Then in November of 2017 at a league meeting in the Western Cape he bettered that to 2.25m.
Standing at only 1.73m, Poole is often asked if his diminutive height is a disadvantage for a high jumper .
“Yes I get asked that often,” chuckled Poole.
“But if you look at Stefan Holm of Sweden, he is only 1.81m tall and he won four indoor titles, was a silver medallist at the 2003 World Championships and won the Olympic title in 2004. So if he can do it, there is no reason why I cannot do it.”
Poole believes he is a 2.30m-plus jumper and has his eyes set on that target in 2018. “I have incredible bounce in my legs. This, together with my leg speed, helps me tremendously. This year I want to hit 2.30m.”
On his chances in Paarl at the final Grand Prix Meeting, Poole is confident.
“I am looking forward to competing in Paarl. I have heard a lot of people want to come out and support me, so I need to put on a great show.
“Chris (Moleya) will also be competing. We have a great rivalry, so the spectators should be treated to something special. Who knows, maybe I will go over my PB (2.25m) on Thursday.”
● The final meeting heads to Dal Josaphat Stadium, Paarl on Thursday, 22 March.
● Online ticket sales are open. Tickets can be purchased via www.webtickets.co.za
● Tickets can also be purchased at the gate on the day.