MELBOURNE: Australia’s Sally Pearson will reward herself with “volumes” of greasy food after winning her second 100 metres hurdles world championship but plans to keep herself in top shape in the long-term for a tilt at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Pearson’s brilliant win at the London Stadium on Saturday capped two years of injury heartbreak and made her Australia’s most decorated track athlete of the modern era.
The 2012 London Olympic champion was denied a chance to defend her title last year at Rio due to a hamstring injury but hopes her body can stand up for Tokyo in 2020, when she would be just shy of her 34th birthday.
“Of course, you always think about Tokyo,” the rejuvenated hurdler told state radio ABC.
Heartbreaking
“I’ve always want to go to three Olympics. Missing out on Rio was heartbreaking but obviously it was there for a reason.
“As I’ve said, I’ve got to look after my body. Definitely (running at) the Commonwealth Games next year. And who knows what will happen after that?
“Tokyo is only three years away ... I just have to listen to my body and be smart about it.”
After missing out on Rio, Pearson coached her own way back to the top, reasoning that after multiple injury setbacks, no-one knew her body like she did.
She will cast off the unflinching self-discipline for a brief period to eat what she wants before plotting a path to victory at next year’s Commonwealth Games, where she will be the headline attraction near her home on the Gold Coast.
“Volumes of food .... I like to reward myself with greasy food,” said Pearson.