A new generation of heptathlon athletes is emerging, and Welsh athlete Abigail Pawlett is determined to follow in the footsteps of her idols. The 22-year-old made a strong debut at her first World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where she suffered an early fall in the hurdles but rebounded with a personal best jump of 1.80m and a winning time in the 200m heat.
Pawlett's performances in Tokyo were a promising start to what could be a successful career for the Chester-born athlete. She has already set her sights on bigger things, including an Olympic medal. "It's exciting to think what could be in the future," she said. "An Olympic medal is the dream, most athletes would say that."
Pawlett's idols include Denise Lewis, Kelly Sotherton, Jessica Ennis-Hill, and Katarina Johnson-Thompson, all of whom have won gold medals at the Olympics. She has been inspired by their achievements and hopes to follow in their footsteps.
Despite her promising start, Pawlett's Tokyo debut was not without its challenges. A delayed concussion forced her out of the competition after just two events, but she remained optimistic about her chances. "I'd have flown to Tokyo just for that high jump PB," she said. "If I hadn't fallen, would I have cleared 1.80m? Would I have had that anger and desire to get something out of it?"
Pawlett's performances in Tokyo were also notable for their speed. She clocked a time of 23.25s in the 200m heat, the fastest of any athlete in the competition. This bodes well for her future prospects, as she is clearly capable of producing top-class performances.
While Pawlett faces stiff competition from other British athletes, including Jade O'Dowda and Kat Johnson-Thompson, she remains confident about her chances. "Me and Jade are jumping over each other in the rankings," she said. "There's a respect there as well, we keep hopscotching each other in the all-time list."
For Pawlett, winning an Olympic medal is not just a personal goal but also a way to cement her place among British heptathlon athletes. She has been inspired by the achievements of her idols and hopes to follow in their footsteps.
As she looks to the future, Pawlett remains focused on improving her performances and pushing herself to new heights. With hard work and determination, she may just become the next British star in the heptathlon.
Pawlett's performances in Tokyo were a promising start to what could be a successful career for the Chester-born athlete. She has already set her sights on bigger things, including an Olympic medal. "It's exciting to think what could be in the future," she said. "An Olympic medal is the dream, most athletes would say that."
Pawlett's idols include Denise Lewis, Kelly Sotherton, Jessica Ennis-Hill, and Katarina Johnson-Thompson, all of whom have won gold medals at the Olympics. She has been inspired by their achievements and hopes to follow in their footsteps.
Despite her promising start, Pawlett's Tokyo debut was not without its challenges. A delayed concussion forced her out of the competition after just two events, but she remained optimistic about her chances. "I'd have flown to Tokyo just for that high jump PB," she said. "If I hadn't fallen, would I have cleared 1.80m? Would I have had that anger and desire to get something out of it?"
Pawlett's performances in Tokyo were also notable for their speed. She clocked a time of 23.25s in the 200m heat, the fastest of any athlete in the competition. This bodes well for her future prospects, as she is clearly capable of producing top-class performances.
While Pawlett faces stiff competition from other British athletes, including Jade O'Dowda and Kat Johnson-Thompson, she remains confident about her chances. "Me and Jade are jumping over each other in the rankings," she said. "There's a respect there as well, we keep hopscotching each other in the all-time list."
For Pawlett, winning an Olympic medal is not just a personal goal but also a way to cement her place among British heptathlon athletes. She has been inspired by the achievements of her idols and hopes to follow in their footsteps.
As she looks to the future, Pawlett remains focused on improving her performances and pushing herself to new heights. With hard work and determination, she may just become the next British star in the heptathlon.