James Dasaolu at the British Championships (© Getty Images)
In the latest in our series where we delve into the work, rest and play of a leading athlete, we focus on British sprinter James Dasaolu, who made a big breakthrough in 2013, clocking 9.91 for the 100m at his national championships and then reaching the IAAF World Championships final in the same event.
He is now the equal third fastest European 100m man ever. Into the bargain, he started the year with a silver medal in the 60m at the European Indoor Championships and he will be gunning for another medal in the event at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Sopot, Poland, which will be held between 7-9 March.
JAMES AT WORK
What is your favourite training session?
JD: Competitive block starts. As I am a 100m sprinter, the start is a very important element to the race. Practise makes perfect and I love perfecting this part of my race. I do a lot of my runs in training by myself, so it is always nice to run against training partners, which I often do with block starts.
What is your least favourite session?
JD: Without doubt my abs sessions.
Who is your favourite training partner?
JD: My favourite trainer partner has to be Leon Baptiste (the 2010 Commonwealth Games 200m champion) who I have trained with for six years. I get along with him really well, but I also like his attitude to training as he always completes every rep.
Where is your favourite training venue?
JD: I really like the British Athletics HIPAC training centre in Loughborough, where I train every day.
What is the worst thing about being an athlete?
JD: It is definitely the not-winning!
JAMES AT REST
What is your favourite music to chill to?
JD: I’ll listen to most things as long has the lyrics haven’t got any cursing or swearing.
Describe your perfect day without training.
JD: Because of a combination of my training demands and the fact I live quite far away from my parents, I don’t get to see much of my family. So, for me, the perfect day without training would involve lots of family time.
What is your favourite stress reliever?
JD: It would be playing video games.
Where is your favourite place to relax?
JD: In my living room, on the sofa in front of the TV.
What TV shows do you like to relax to?
JD: I'm quite into Revolution and Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D at the moment.
JAMES AT PLAY
What was the first video game you ever bought?
JD: Super Mario Brothers on the first very Nintendo.
Which video game are you best at?
JD: FIFA, because I made it to top division online and none of my friends can beat me.
Have you ever been late for an athletics training session after playing video games?
JD: I’ve never been late for a training session, but I’ve been late a few times for therapy and massage appointments.
Do you ever play athletics video games and are you any good?
JD: I played Olympics 2012. It was quite cool playing the game and then running in the Olympic Stadium the very next day.
Steve Landells for the IAAF
