Jonathan Broom-Edwards: Reigning Paralympic champion hoping to leap high in Paris
Heading into any championships as the reigning champion brings with it some pressure, but stepping onto the Paralympic stage as the current champ definitely puts a target on your back - something which T64 high jumper, Jonathan Broom-Edwards, takes in his stride.
We recently caught up with Jonathan at our Senior Championships in Birmingham as he made final preparations ahead of the upcoming Games.
Fine tuning the final details
The Paralympic Games puts the spotlight on athletes and their performances on the day, but what many viewers don't appreciate in that moment is the hours, days, months, and years worth of work and preparation - something which Jonathan is coming to the closing stages of:
"[The senior championships] has been quite a good competition for me. There's a very good collection of athletes competing at a really good level which is great for me, I am not having to wait around to jump. It is pushing me to go higher. I have had a really good collection of jumps first time and then going up to a higher height which would have been a new season's best. For me I am working out certain spacings and making corrections. We learn from these competitions and I have had a really good time today and it's another stepping stone ticked off to the main event."
Securing his spot on the team
For any athlete, getting that phone call to confirm their spot on the Paralympic team is one of relief, excitement and nerves. Jonathan was in the first round of athletes announced to represent ParalympicsGB, so he has had a couple of months to prepare himself.
"It feels fantastic to have my place. I had kitting out yesterday and it was an amazing experience. They really looked after us and it's starting to feel a lot more real now. I've got to keep my body in check, keep rehearsing my run up and get ready."
Dealing with the pressure as the reigning champion
Having held the title of Paralympic champion for three years, it is definitely something which Broom-Edwards is looking to retain:
"At the end of the day with high jump it is me and the bar and I want to focus on doing my best. If I go out there and jump the best I can what will be will be. I am quite confident I have it in me to come home with a gold again. I've just got to keep making the right decisions and look after my body."
"I don't think about the major competitions until it is time to. I tick off all the things I need to do leading up to the competition. I try to manage the nerves as they are going to be there regardless. I try to use the nerves to boost my jumps, they're going to give me adrenaline and so I try harness them the best I can. It is not over thinking things too soon before your event, it is about waiting until the right time and keeping myself distracted."
"I still hold firm that I have a lifetime best in me and that is the aim of the year but I want to get a consistent set of jumps and realise my own potential - that is the aim."