Angelica Bengtsson - 4.58m in Sollentuna (© DECA Text&Bild)
Swedish pole vaulter Angelica Bengtsson has amassed a stunning array of gold medals ever since she triumphed at the 2009 World Youth Championships.
The following year she won at the Youth Olympic Games and also at the IAAF World Junior Championships. In 2011, she added a gold medal at the European Athletics Junior Championships to her ever-growing collection.
On Thursday morning, she will start the defence of her World Junior Championships title when she competes in the Pole Vault qualifying rounds at what will be her last international junior competition.
Bengtsson, who turned 19 on Monday, gave herself an early birthday present ahead of her trip to Barcelona by going over a World Junior outdoor best of 4.58m on home soil in Solletuna last Thursday, a mark only succeeded by her World record of 4.63m achieved indoors last year.
She kindly answered some questions by email earlier this week.
Q: After winning at the European Athletics Junior Championships in Tallinn last summer, with what was then a World junior outdoor best of 4.57m, how did the last 12 months unfold for her?
A: Last summer, I felt that I was in a good shape and could probably have jumped higher than my indoor personal best and World record of 4.63m. However, I wasn't able to compete as much as I wanted to last summer, mostly because of different colds that I caught.
When I finally jumped high again at the European juniors, I was really happy, but I was convinced that I would jump even higher the next competition. However, once again a cold stopped me from competing at the Samsung Diamond League meeting Zurich, and a small injury in my wrist prevented me from going to the senior World Championships in Daegu. So my season was over after Tallinn.
In the autumn, I was unhappy over that abrupt end so I wanted to do my best indoors instead but I suffered an inflammation at the back of my knee, which kept me from running at all for six months.
In May, I was able to run again and one week after my first pole vault session I started to compete.
I opened the season with a competition of 4.38m and I have competed at least once-a-week since then. I'm now up to a season's best of 4.58m, an outdoor best.
I'm really happy that my knee injury hasn't seemed to affect my performance at all; even more than that, I may be stronger now after all the gym work I did while I couldn't run.
Q: You are the obvious favourite for the World Junior Championships. Is there any pressure on you?
A: I know that I will meet a girl with a season's best close to mine (editorial note: this is Australia's Liz Parnov who has cleared 4.50m this year). I see that as an inspiration for me to jump higher. However, I have the philosophy that if I only do my best, then I can't complain over the results in the end. Either I win or I lose, but I will do everything I can to win and make a good result.
Q: You are now a very experienced competitor at the top junior competitions. Is this an advantage or a danger, as you have been so dominant some might think you could become complacent?
A: There are only good things that come with being experienced. In the last two years I have had a hard time competing against the seniors, mainly because they are experienced and I'm not. Now, I think I've made my way in senior competitions; however the junior championships are my speciality. I think this championship in Barcelona will be the most fun event in a long time... maybe besides the Olympics.
Q: Have you ever been to Barcelona before?
A: Yes, I've been on a training camp in Barcelona. It was lovely! We lived close to the beach and it was beautiful; and the city was beautiful with its churches and living statues. I've also cheered for Barcelona FC ever since.
Phil Minshull for the IAAF (with thanks to Stina Funke of JRS Sports Management for her help)
The following year she won at the Youth Olympic Games and also at the IAAF World Junior Championships. In 2011, she added a gold medal at the European Athletics Junior Championships to her ever-growing collection.
On Thursday morning, she will start the defence of her World Junior Championships title when she competes in the Pole Vault qualifying rounds at what will be her last international junior competition.
Bengtsson, who turned 19 on Monday, gave herself an early birthday present ahead of her trip to Barcelona by going over a World Junior outdoor best of 4.58m on home soil in Solletuna last Thursday, a mark only succeeded by her World record of 4.63m achieved indoors last year.
She kindly answered some questions by email earlier this week.
Q: After winning at the European Athletics Junior Championships in Tallinn last summer, with what was then a World junior outdoor best of 4.57m, how did the last 12 months unfold for her?
A: Last summer, I felt that I was in a good shape and could probably have jumped higher than my indoor personal best and World record of 4.63m. However, I wasn't able to compete as much as I wanted to last summer, mostly because of different colds that I caught.
When I finally jumped high again at the European juniors, I was really happy, but I was convinced that I would jump even higher the next competition. However, once again a cold stopped me from competing at the Samsung Diamond League meeting Zurich, and a small injury in my wrist prevented me from going to the senior World Championships in Daegu. So my season was over after Tallinn.
In the autumn, I was unhappy over that abrupt end so I wanted to do my best indoors instead but I suffered an inflammation at the back of my knee, which kept me from running at all for six months.
In May, I was able to run again and one week after my first pole vault session I started to compete.
I opened the season with a competition of 4.38m and I have competed at least once-a-week since then. I'm now up to a season's best of 4.58m, an outdoor best.
I'm really happy that my knee injury hasn't seemed to affect my performance at all; even more than that, I may be stronger now after all the gym work I did while I couldn't run.
Q: You are the obvious favourite for the World Junior Championships. Is there any pressure on you?
A: I know that I will meet a girl with a season's best close to mine (editorial note: this is Australia's Liz Parnov who has cleared 4.50m this year). I see that as an inspiration for me to jump higher. However, I have the philosophy that if I only do my best, then I can't complain over the results in the end. Either I win or I lose, but I will do everything I can to win and make a good result.
Q: You are now a very experienced competitor at the top junior competitions. Is this an advantage or a danger, as you have been so dominant some might think you could become complacent?
A: There are only good things that come with being experienced. In the last two years I have had a hard time competing against the seniors, mainly because they are experienced and I'm not. Now, I think I've made my way in senior competitions; however the junior championships are my speciality. I think this championship in Barcelona will be the most fun event in a long time... maybe besides the Olympics.
Q: Have you ever been to Barcelona before?
A: Yes, I've been on a training camp in Barcelona. It was lovely! We lived close to the beach and it was beautiful; and the city was beautiful with its churches and living statues. I've also cheered for Barcelona FC ever since.
Phil Minshull for the IAAF (with thanks to Stina Funke of JRS Sports Management for her help)
