Team England high jumper Isobel Pooley has insisted that she is in the best shape she has ever been in, both mentally and physically.
The 21-year-old progressed through to the high jump final at the Commonwealth Games this morning, easing to a height of 1.85m to finish joint top of qualification Group A.
Having missed out on selection for the London Olympics and experiencing an up-and-down year with injuries in 2013, the Glasgow Games represent arguably the biggest test of her career so far.
After making it through to the final, Pooley spoke to Sports Mole about her performance, the crowd and how missing London was a blessing in disguise.
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Happy with how that qualifying went?
"Yep, really pleased. It went to plan. I've got a gameplan, I'm going to stick to it, and that's the first part done."
Obviously the result was what you wanted, but performance-wise is there still more to come from you?
"It's quite hard to do high jump any less than 100% because you might fall over so every jump, the more effort you put into it, the more fun it is. I was out there trying to have 100% fun and that's what I did.
"I had one dodgy jump at 85 but, at the end of the day, it cleared the bar and that was enough to get me through, as I knew it would be. So I'm happy overall, but I've got to get my head down now and focus on Friday's final."
You missed out on London in 2012, while 2013 was a topsy-turvy year for you with a few injury problems. Do you feel like you have a point to prove here in Glasgow?
"There's a unique atmosphere in this stadium. I've absolutely loved it so far but I don't think I would have been ready for it in 2012. I was absolutely delighted to be a part of the crowd in 2012, cheering on my training partner Robbie to his bronze medal. Occasions like that I'll never ever forget and that was a wonderful experience.
"I wouldn't ever want to take that away, so even if it had meant I'd been qualified, I think I might have been overwhelmed by the atmosphere, whereas today I thrived off it and I'm so, so glad that I'm finally mature enough and I'm ready to take this on and shine on this stage rather than shrivel."
So you were part of the home crowd in 2012, and now you're performing in front of what is effectively a home crowd. What is that like?
"It feels right this year. In London it wouldn't feel right. Everything happens for a reason and this is just a perfect example. Hopefully I can use the crowd to my advantage on Friday and really dominate the field. We'll take that one when we get to it."
You sound like you're a lot stronger psychologically now. Would you say you're the best you've ever been both mentally and physically?
"Yes. You said it, but it's true."
Pooley will now take part in the high jump final at Hampden Park on Friday evening.
Barney Corkhill
