Isobel Pooley has insisted that she knows exactly what she needs to do to improve on her recent high jump performances.
The 22-year-old again cleared 1.91m at the Diamond League event in Birmingham, but failed on the 1.94m attempt to finish fourth on the day.
However, Pooley, who won silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, is confident that she will eventually clear 1.94m this season as her belief continues to grow.
Speaking to Sports Mole after the event, Pooley stated her intention to continue building towards the World Championships later this year and the Rio Olympics in 2016.
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How did you rate your performance today?
"I've been consistent. That's my fourth 1.90/1.91m clearance, and again first attempt. What I'm most pleased about is my last attempt at 1.94m, which was a really strong jump. My first attempt at 1.94m wasn't such a good jump, so I know exactly what I need to improve upon.
"I enjoyed the experience of the crowd - the last jump I was aware of every single person who was putting their hands together for me, and I didn't fall apart under that pressure which, for me personally, is a massive achievement."
Will you take a lot of confidence from this meeting, then?
"Hugely. I'm absolutely honoured and so grateful to have had this experience and it's just another weapon in my artillery now going forward into the World Championships and the Olympics. Although I didn't get the 1.94 and I'm frustrated with that, I've learned to be a little bit more patient now and take a more laid-back approach.
"It's going to come, and I'm building a very strong base, so I've just got to give myself the best possible chance of pulling it out either next week or the week after and just not be too impatient about it."
The next step for you this season is to make the leap from a 1.91m jumper to a 1.94m one - what is the key to making that breakthrough again?
"Belief I think. Those little voices inside your head that are telling you that you can't or that you need to change something or try harder - you really just need to dispel all doubt and, instead of just worrying about 'oh I mustn't doubt myself', you have to replace that with belief."
Is that an easy thing to do?
"No! It's the hardest thing in the world! Especially when we're British, we're very self-depreciating. So actually to say, 'I'm really good at this and I'm going to nail this one' - to even say that to yourself is a massive achievement and what I'm working towards."
Liam Apicella
