Former world discus champion Dani Samuels believes a change in attitude has her Olympic campaign back on track after conceding she caved in to the pressure during a forgetful 2011.
Samuels, who became the sport’s youngest world champion in 2009, continues her London build-up at the Sydney Track Classic on Saturday night, where she resumes her rivalry with reigning Olympic champion, American Stephanie Brown Trafton.
Samuels is still searching for form after a disappointing performance in Perth last week, finishing third behind Brown Trafton with a throw of 60.74 metres – outside the Olympic A qualifying distance of 62 metres and well short of her personal best (65.84).
But the 23-year-old is optimistic a return to form is beckoning and that she remains a genuine Olympic gold medal contender.
“The thing was (in Perth) I felt fantastic,” Samuels said.
“It was great conditions … but it was just a few technical things. I didn’t put a whole throw together.
“I walked off a bit frustrated and disappointed because my training’s been going really well.”
Samuels admits she struggled mentally last year as she surrendered her world title without reaching the final eight in Daegu.
Before that, she’d consulted a sports psychologist to help her deal with the strain but, after some soul searching, Samuels believes she’s recaptured her love for the sport – and her confidence.
“I was just so nervous (in South Korea), I could not relax whatever I did,” Samuels said.
“So it’s been a bit of a change in attitude. I just needed to relax and get back to the roots and why I got into the sport in the first place – it’s because I love it.
“London has been an eight-year goal for me so I thought, ‘this is it, this is the one I’ve been working for the whole time’ … just have fun with it and enjoy the year.”
Samuels’ rivalry with Brown Trafton is one of several highlights of Saturday’s meet, which also features Sally Pearson in the 100m hurdles and the 200m.
The field features three reigning Olympic and five outdoor world champions including Kenya’s 800m world record holder David Rudisha, who will contest the 400m as part of preparations for his pet event.
Rudisha said his presence in the 400m might inspire the likes of Australians John Steffenson, Steven Solomon and Ben Offereins to run under the 45.25 Olympic qualifying mark, which they are yet to do this season.
“Being an 800m runner, they don’t want me to defeat them, this guy coming from 800 to 400,” the Kenyan said with a smile.
“… That is a healthy competition and, if things go well, they’ll get the qualifying time.”
The outspoken Steffenson will be bidding for a repeat of his upset win in 46.11 over Solomon (46.26) and Offereins (46.49) in Perth.
Craig Mottram and Collis Birmingham will face Kenyan Olympic and world champion Asbel Kiprop in the 1500m.
