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Kate Dennison

Kate Dennison

"The team behind you is so important," believes the British record breaking pole vaulting champion.

Raise Your Game: Your event is something that a lot of young people don't generally consider taking up straight away. What was it that got you involved in the pole vault?

Kate Dennison: My background is in gymnastics which is what a lot of us pole vaulters do. The pole vault is a great event and it's becoming more popular. It's fantastic to watch as well and it would be great to see it more in schools.

RYG: What are the skills you need to be successful in the pole vault?

Profile

Name:
Kate Dennison

Born:
7 May 1984 (Durban, South Africa)

Lives:
Loughborough, UK

Event:
Pole vault

Achievements:

  • Gold - Aviva World Indoor Trials and UK Championships, Sheffield (2010)
  • Broke the British pole vault record nine times in 2009 season.
  • Sixth - IAAF World Championships, Berlin (2009)
  • Fourth - SPAR European Team Championships, Leiria (2009)
  • Sixth - European Athletics Indoor Championships, Torino (2009)
  • Seventh - Olympic Games, Beijing (2008)

KD: It is a very technical event so you need to be disciplined. My background in gymnastics has helped me because it is probably one of the most disciplined sports you can do. You see children doing gymnastics from an early age which means they already have some of the skills necessary for the pole vault and they click to it really easily.

RYG: Your event is generally considered an individual sport, but behind you there's a great team of people who help get you in the kind of shape you need to be in.

KD: The team behind you is so important in athletics. You've got your physiotherapists, weights coach, your coach and everyone else behind the scenes.

RYG: How important is it to set yourself goals?

KD: Your goals for the future are your goals and what you believe you can do. My coach helped me get into shape and jumping well a couple of years ago and it's now up to me to take it to the next level. The pole vault is about belief and if you believe you're going to jump the height then quite often you do.

RYG: What would you say to encourage young girls to take up the sport?

KD: If you fancy something a bit different, or something that takes a bit of guts, courage and maybe a little bit of craziness, then get involved in the pole vault. The satisfaction you get when you actually clear a bar is such a great feeling. You can't really replicate it.


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