Jake Wightman began visiting the indoor meets in the US around 2017. I remember catching up with him then. Jeff Benjamin, our senior editor for all things East Coast, interviewed Jake prior to his voyage to Eugene, Oregon for the 2022 World Athletics Outdoor Champs.
Countdown To The Worlds With Jake Wightman
By Jeff Benjamin
1) How’s training been coming along and where are you based right now?
We’ve been up in Colorado Springs the last couple of weeks. Training has been going well, so I’m hoping to be in my best form for Eugene.
2) How do you psychologically prepare to take on this world-class field?
I’ve been to enough major champs to know what it is like to race these guys. You need to be at your best both physically and mentally. I take confidence in my racing and training throughout the season to know that I can be competitive in these races.
3) How challenging is it to juggle 2 peaks in your training – the Brit Champs where you ran great and then the Worlds, three weeks later?
For me, the trials have never been a peak. It’s about going into it at 90% and still being good enough to make the team. Our hardest challenge is that we have potentially 3 championships this season, so that is the hardest to peak for. I hope that I can maintain my peak for Worlds into Commonwealths, a few weeks later.
4) Your win as Brit National Champion was one of the most inspiring wins – over the past year did you have doubts and what kept you going?
This season, I’ve looked to make amends from what was a disappointing 2021 season for me. I’ve been using that as motivation to focus on filling in the gaps in my physiology that were lacking last season in order to be as prepared as possible for the champs this year.
5) You’ve been successful in events from the 1500, Mile – any idea what the future might look like?
At the moment I’m still going to be focussing on 1500m as my championship distance. I’d love to be able to compete competitively over 800m at some champs as well, but don’t race them enough to be able to do this.
6) Will there be a Weightman cheerleading group in Eugene and who will it comprise of & will your Dad be announcing?
My Mum is coming across to Eugene also. It will be great having both my parents there, especially after the empty stadiums of Tokyo last year!
To read about Jake’s big victory in Rabat, please click here: https://www.runblogrun.com/2022/06/2022-rabat-dl-jake-wightman-wins-the-1500m-in-33262.html
