Kung Fu talks to TT: Brendan Sexton Interview

Profile

DOB: 06/08/85

Nickname: Kung Fu

Career highlight to date: U23 world champs silver medal

Favourite race: Mooloolaba

Best leg: Right

Sponsors:  Australian Sports Commission, Aust Institute of Sport, Vic Institute of Sport, Giant Bicycles, Oakley Eyewear Aust,

TT: Brendan, thanks for your time. Well done at the Gatorade series opener in St Kilda the other week. Happy?

BS:  The win was a little unexpected as I had just recommenced training after a light break from training. The competition was high for a local sprint so I was happy to be with the pace and hang on at the end.

TT: It’s been a hectic year for you. For our readers who don’t know you, where did you base yourself for the majority of the year?

BS:  Most of my 2010 season was spent in Europe – a base in northern Spain and one in France. I spend the northern hemisphere summer with other Aussie institute athletes and travel to races from these bases. I also spent  the last section of the year in Florida, USA where the warm weather lasts a bit longer.

TT: How did you find the overseas experience?

BS: I found this year very rewarding. After more than 2 years of constant injury and incident I was able to build through a full season and finish up the year better than I ever have.

TT:  Results wise, were you happy?

BS:  I wasn’t so happy through the beginning of the year. I found after a long stint out of top level competition my efforts in training were not being reflected in my results. In the end it came down to consistency and patience and the result started come in my last leg of the tour with a win in the USA Olympic distance champs.

TT: The ultimate goal is no doubt London, 2010. What are the medium term goals along the way?

BS: The medium term goal for 2011 is to race well enough that I am in no doubt of being selected to represent Aus in London. This means targeting pre determined races and achieving as high above the minimum standard as I am able. These races will of course be high level ITU events both in Aus and abroad.

TT: Will you stay based in Melbourne?

BS:  Although I am now permanently based in Melbourne training out of the VIS I will be spending much of the Aussie summer out of town on training camps and in competition. I am used to moving around quite a bit and find I get restless if I am in one place for more than a few weeks.

TT: What about training camps? Will you be going on some over summer? Do you have a favourite location?

BS: There are many good places in Australia to get away and get stuck into specific elements of triathlon. I am currently in camp at the AIS in Canberra making the most of the world class facilities here. In the New Year I will head into the Vic mountains to get some work at altitude.

TT: Do you ever feel like ditching the training partners and training solo for a few days? What percent of your training is done solo Vs with a training group?

BS:  In the VIS team I have some great guys and girls to push me along and I believe this is the best way to improve and gauge your progression. My coach, Jono Hall, tends to know when I need to to spend some time alone in my own head space so depending on the time of the season I will get a good mix of solo/group training.

TT: Fiercest rival?

BS: Only one ’s self knows how honest that person is to their own potential at any given moment. In that respect, the voice in my head is my fiercest rival as it knows when I have truly failed.

TT: Athlete you most want to dominate?

BS: No person in particular. I want to reach the limits my own body and mind can reach. In my mind I want to dominate the guy who is one step ahead of me.

TT: Favorite brekky?

BS: Good  Coffee

TT: Brendan, thanks again for you time and good luck.

BS: Thank you and well done with the Tribe!