Interview: Wade Bennett- Jackson

Wade Bennett- Jackson has long been a marked man, since winning the European Youth Olympic 100m and 200m double the athletics world has expected great things from the Hammersmith born Belgravian. As part of arguably the most successful sprinter orientated athletics club Jackson has continued to improve under the tutorage of John Powell and while his most notable successes this last season have come indoors, Wade also gained a bronze medal in the European junior championships against the odds and is seen as one of the leading lights in Junior sprinting. GB:AP caught up with him..

Q. Why did you start athletics?
I started athletics because it was so easy to win, and I think I was actually unbeaten all the way through my first season in 2001, winning the English schools U15 100m title in the process! Winning that made me think…I'm the best out of all the schools in the country…WOW.

Q. When did u think to yourself in an athletics sense that "I’ve arrived as part of the elite" or have you not had that yet?
I arrived this year, dropping a 10.34 at AAA’s juniors, and showed immense leg speed late in the season to run 10.28w and 10.20w respectively. Also, bringing back a bronze medal against all the odds at the European juniors in Lithuania made me think, ‘yea! I can do anything on the day’.

Q. What aspects of training do you find hardest and what do u find most beneficial?
So far the most beneficial aspect of training is not to do too much. It sounds strange, but I liked knowing that when I needed to step up, that I would have lots of room for improvement. I am now stepping up this year, from 3 to 5 sessions a week. Winter training really does make you work hard, right to the limit. No matter how many winters you have done, when your dead on the floor feeling sick after a session, you start questioning whether its worth the pain. And believe me it is…

Q. What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever been given in athletics?
I don’t actually know. But I am a firm believer in myself, and won’t let anything phase me. So id say that I give myself the best advice.

Q. Do you have any problems training with people who you often have to compete against, i.e. Matt Thomas, Andrew Matthews?
No, its really good motivation because even though its training there is still the competitive edge, and you want to win each rep. Plus it can also help you to cope with pressure in a race situation.

Q. Who do you feel will make the step up to World Senior Level in the future from the likes of Craig Pickering, Simeon Williamson, James Ellington including yourself etc.
I think we all have the potential to make it; we’ve just got to work hard and not take anything for granted on the way.

Q. What was it like winning the double at The European Youth Olympics, where you won the 100m, and 200m, breaking the 200m record in each round; do you feel it lifted the spirits of those who were with you?
I think it did, and it raised my spirits a lot, it made me feel as if I was capable of anything. It felt so good to run four PB’s in six races.

Q. Do you ever feel under too much pressure to deliver results after your success as a junior?
I don’t feel pressure, but I always pressure myself to perform. Next year there’s going to be more pressure on me as I will be the oldest in the age group, and I'm looking to win the world juniors next year in China.

Q. Are you a full time athlete? If so, what do you do during the day?
I am a fulltime athlete, and the days are pretty boring as everyone is at school or work. Throughout the day I'm looking to hydrate myself and eat properly, so that I’m in the best possible condition for training.

Q. Do you think you can be the no.1 sprinter in the UK ever?
I believe I can be the best sprinter this country has ever seen, and will have to work hard to be the worlds best sprinter ever! I will never limit myself and will strive for complete success. The UK record of 9.87 is definitely on the horizon, better still the world record of 9.77…I will never cease to give up until I’ve done everything I can to be the best.

Q. What is your ultimate goal in track?
My ultimate goal on track is to win the Olympics 2012 in a world record time. Iv been thinking about it since I was 14, and even more so since London won the bid!
Q. Do you have any back up plans in case athletics doesn’t work out, e.g. if you becomes injured?
Actually I don’t have a back up plan, but I have ideas in case I don’t make it in sport. I definitely want to be a sprints coach once I'm done. Hopefully I will have the experience and knowledge to be a successful coach and will be able to attract athletes of all calibres to aid them in being the best.

Q. What sort of work you do with McDonald’s?
I do promotional work, ‘It’s what you eat, and what you do’. I go into schools around the country and we do 60mins of exercise, sports hall style, and its actually good fun as the kids really enjoy getting active. I have met so many people and its great experience for the future. The McDonalds sweet chilli chicken sandwich is amazing…
Q. Ever done anything over 200? If so what pbs have you got?
Haha, yea I have done 300’s in training. With only a time of 37.8, due to me pacing myself so I can survive three reps! And I did my first ever 400m earlier this year in Peterborough, where I ran a time of 51.0…I was so dead after that race…

Q. What music do you listen to for motivation?
I listen to slow jams on the way to a competition, but then as soon as I start getting near, my Hip Hop comes on. When warm up comes, I have to listen to jungle…

Q. What do you do the night before a major race?
I eat very well, usually I have pizza or something. I also like to get my stuff ready and have the clothes I need out and ready for me to put straight on in the morning. I don’t go to bed early, I sleep at about 12-1am. If I'm sharing wit James Ellington we crack joke until the early hours!
Q. Do you have things like lucky socks, or undies, or spikes, You know the superstition thing?
I actually have these pair of boxers that I wear for the more important races. They have been very reliable since I bought them a few years ago, and are still going on strong!

Q. what sponsors have you had?
I had some sponsorship from View From and Puma early in my career back in 2002/3, but now I have got King Of Shaves, McDonalds, and Nike helping me out. They are all very good, and great to work with.

Q. 2006 seemed a good season with pb's being set both indoors and out, Talk us through the World Junior 100m Final, what would you of done differently if you could do it all again knowing what you know now?
A. I wouldn't change anything about my race, apart from the last 40m where i would relax and let my legs go through the motions, that would have done some serious damage...

Q. What has been your highlight for both the 2007/08 seasons?
A. No major highlights at all this year, just an eye opener for me, as i have been left in the dust recently. And its not a nice feeling.I am going to go out this winter hell bent on proving myself to everyone who has supported me.

Q. What can we expect from you in the future?
A. The future for me is a little blurred right now, as i have a few things to sort out, but personally i am always confident, and believe i will start by running something special over 60m this coming indoors...