15 April 2018
World record on Hahn's mind after Commonwealth gold
Sophie Hahn doesn’t do slowing down when it comes to her running career – now she’s got even more golden moments she wants to speed up for.
With Paralympic, World, European and now Commonwealth honours, you wouldn’t think there was much else for the 21-year-old sprinter to add to a collection unmatchable.
But with the countdown to Tokyo 2020 and the next Paralympic Games already the focal part of her attention, Hahn only has one challenger left to beat – herself.
Less than a year has passed since she stopped the clock in 12.44s across 100m, creating a world record in the process and one she came within two hundredths of breaking on the Gold Coast.
Yet with two years to improve, get stronger and run without the pressure of a collection of golds to complete, the sprinter with every accolade is after a whole lot more.
I know I’m going to get beaten one day, there might be two Sophie Hahns in Tokyo so I’ve got to keep working hard, keep training hard and keep staying ahead of my game.
Hard work starts here
“I’m looking to break the world record in Tokyo, it’s about picking out tiny parts and working on them to get the best time as possible,” she said.
“I think I need to look at working in the gym, working on the technical aspects in the start so I can keep improving through the race.
“I’ve worked hard for this for four years and to complete the set at the age of 21, that’s really special for me.
“I’ve been working hard on my starts, my drive out the blocks is the key and I was able to do that so I was really happy, I got my transition so I was over the moon to get that right in my race.
Blink and you'll miss her: Sophie Hahn en route to Commonwealth gold
Commonwealth glory secured
Tokyo 2020 will see Hahn look to defend her Paralympic title, the first time the T38 100m champion will be able to do that on this particular stage.
But with gold in the 2013, 2015 and 2017 World Championships, it’s a mantle that is already familiar to her – despite being aged just 21.
And with victory Down Under came the completion of her golden medal set – an honour she had waited a long time to complete.
“I’ve always wanted to be able to get that Commonwealth medal so to come here, to Australia, and do that is so amazing,” she added.
“In the warm-up, I knew I just needed to get out there, to hear the noise and soak up the atmosphere and I’m so happy to be here.
“The Commonwealths was always something I wanted to tick off and the whole experience has been fantastic.”
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