Amy Pejkovic aims high in a bid to make the Commonwealth Games

FIVE years on from her health scare, this Commonwealth Games hopeful is determined to live out her dream.

Amy Pejkovic: “Almost having my life taken away was a wake-up call.” (Pic: Tāne Coffin for Stellar)

“THERE was a huntsman in our house last night,” Amy Pejkovic reveals.

“I had a terrible sleep. I woke up every hour thinking, ‘There is a spider in the bedroom...’”

Right now, Pejkovic needs all the rest that she can get. The 24-year-old high jumper has spent the past several months squarely focused on making it to the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast this April.

“Performing in the Commonwealth Games is a dream I’ve had since I was little.” (Pic: Tāne Coffin for Stellar)

As she lolls around inside an old bus during a shoot for Stellar, she is full of energy — which she will also need, and which she’s always seemed to have. Her need to move led to stints in netball and basketball as a child. But it was high jumping that ultimately captured her heart.

High jumping is where Pejkovic’s heart lies. (Pic: Tāne Coffin for Stellar)

She wasn’t sold on the idea at first. But by age 10, “I made it to state without any training, jumped the record and equalled first with two other girls. Since then, I haven’t looked back.” Nearly a decade later, Pejkovic was training to make Australia’s 2012 Summer Olympics team when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour; more than five years on, it has been removed and a new perspective on life gained.

Pejkovic’s health scare has made her more appreciative of life. (Pic: Tāne Coffin for Stellar)

“Almost having my life taken away was a wake-up call,” Pejkovic says. “I feel like I have to give everything I have — because so many people have opportunities taken away from them.”

Pejkovic credits her family, friends and partner, GWS Giants AFL player Adam Tomlinson, for helping her get back on track after her health scare.

Ready for the Games! (Pic: Tāne Coffin for Stellar)

And she’s now firmly looking forward to the Commonwealth Games.

“This is a dream I’ve had since I was little,” she says. “I don’t want to think about not making the Games. But even if I don’t, I’ve so many friends competing and I’ll be happy to cheer them on. Watching people achieve their dreams makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”

Amy Pejkovic is a Longines Friend of the Brand for the XXI Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Originally published as Amy Pejkovic aims high in a bid to make the Commonwealth Games