by Stuart WeirA fun interview with Sandra Perkovic, who took bronze in the discus this time, adding some color to an impressive medal count. Sandra won the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic gold medals for Croatia. In the World Championships, she won gold twice (Moscow 2013 and London 2017), silver in Beijing 2015, and now bronze in 2019. Sandra Perkovic also has won five straight European Athletics Outdoor titles at the discus (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018).
This is a fun interview with Sandra Perkovic, by Stuart Weir. Learn some of her secrets.
Sandra Perkovic, photo by Getty Images / IAAF
7 question to Sandra Perković
Sandra Perković is the first lady of the women’s discus. Her achievements are legendary: Olympic Champion 2012 and 2016. World Champion 2013 and 2017 (plus a silver and bronze). Five-time European Champion 2010-18. Six-time Diamond League Champion and winner of an incredible 42 individual Diamond League races. Her first world championship was Berlin 2019 when she was 19. Doha is her sixth. She entered as defending champion and came away with a bronze medal with a throw of 66.72.
1. What was your reaction to the third place is Doha?
Sandra Perković: “I think we three are the best in the discus throw, Denia won the title in 2015, I did it 2017 and Yaime today. We are all good throwers, today Pérez was the best, she threw 69m which is an amazing throw. I think Yaime was the best. I am glad that we are fighting from year to year and I think we are supporting each other we are not opponents. I believe next year will be nice as well.”
2.You have been world champion twice, what does being world champion mean to you?
Sandra Perković: “That means a lot to me because, I’m a discus thrower and I am one of the best in the world. I have so many titles, but I’m never satisfied. I just want to continue what I’m doing. I have opportunities to spend my life doing what I do best – discus throwing. It’s very nice when you come to the stadium and people recognise you and know you are the best. And you want to show them that you are even better than you were before. So it makes me feel happy.”
3. 2019 was a long season how did you approach it?
Sandra Perković: “It’s a little weird and we’ve never previously experienced having a World Championship at the end of September, beginning of October. But my coach and I knew that, so we started the season a little easier, which is the reason why I wasn’t so good in the early part of this season.”
Sandra Perković, 2019 Doha, photo by PhotoRun.net
4. Having won so much, what keeps you motivated?
Sandra Perković: “Track and field is my life and I’m never happier than when I come to a stadium and win a title. That’s what inspires me. Sandra Perkovic is a discus thrower. That is what defines me as a person. After winning all the titles, I want more and more and to become one of the greatest discus throwers ever. And I’m in a very good way to manage that. If I do what I and my team wish at Tokyo next year I can be the best discus thrower ever.”
5. You always seem to compete well in London Is there a reason?
Sandra Perković: “London 2017 was the best competition for me because in that stadium I won my first Olympic gold. Everything was so positive and I was happy to return to the stadium for the 2017 World Championships. The first time I stepped into the circle and saw the crowd, I knew it was going to be my competition.”
6. You said it’s important for you to be a role model for young people, explain why?.
Sandra Perković: “It’s very important for me that I am a role model for young athletes and young people. I want to show them that with hard work and a lot of love for your job, you can achieve everything in life that you wish. That’s the way I did it, the way I became a champion and won the titles. It’s very nice when you’re inspiring people. I think my purpose in this world is competing and inspiring people to show them that everything is possible and that you can be whatever you want.”
7. Why did you become a member of parliament?
Sandra Perković: “I became a member of parliament because it’s very important that young people are involved in politics. I think it’s important to have people with a lot of experience – I have the experience as an athlete of travelling around the world. All jobs are similar. If you are giving all your heart and doing your best every single day – not just some days – you can accomplish a lot of good things especially in politics.”
Sandra Perković, bronze medal, Doha 2019, photo by PhotoRun.net
