A change of coach and training venue has South Africa’s Commonwealth High Jump Champion Anika Smit convinced she will break new ground in the coming season.
Formerly based at the University of the North West in Potchefstroom, Smit has now settled in Tshwane where she will have easier access to her new coach Hugo Badenhorst. This is part of her strategy aimed at soaring to greater heights next year.
"Although the work load that come with training twice a day is quite demanding on me, I think it is worthwhile. The change is already bearing fruit. I feel much stronger and technically more explosive," says Smith.
Perhaps the biggest difference in her training is the scientific supports system at the High Performance Centre (HPC) in the University of Pretoria.
"Previously I was just here during the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Training Camps for a week. Now I have more access to the HPC facilities. Surely this should have a significant impact on me when I compete," Smit explained.
"My goal is to jump higher next year. The international competition will be much stiffer because it is an Olympic year. Who would not want to excel at the 2008 Beijing Olympics?
"At the end of day, I am using everything at my disposal to improve on my career best of 1.93m. After all we want to be at our best at the Beijing Olympics," says Smit.
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