Box Hill Athletics Club’s Johnny Suares wins national pole vaulting award

Record breaker Johnny Suares is reaching new highs in athletics and now has his eye on an Olympic prize.

Athletics star Johnny Suares.

Name: Johnny Suares, 12

Suburb: Box Hill North

Sport: Athletics

Club: Box Hill Athletics Club

Coach: Mark Stewart

ISHI HAS ALL THE RIGHT MOVES

SWIMMER MAKES WAVES AT WORLD GAMES

RACING INTO GLORY FOR MONT ALBERT WALKER

How old were you when you took up your sport? 11

How did you get involved in this sport?

The coach asked me to join after watching me run and jump.

Recent competitions:

— Victorian All Schools State Championships U14;

— Australian All Schools Championships U14

— Victorian State Track and Field Championships U14; and

— Australian National Track and Field Championships U14 and 15.

Recent awards:

— Victorian All Schools State Championships first place;

— Australian All Schools Championships first place;

— Victorian State Track and Field Championships gold medal; and

— Australian National Track and Field Championships gold medal.

Johnny Suares in action.

What has been your greatest success?

Winning the Australian National Championships and breaking the eight-year record in the U14 pole vault.

Describe your training routine:

Five days a week after school, including strength circuits, gymnastics, pole vault sprints and more.

What do you love most about your sport?

I just love training and being outdoors.

Describe the toughest challenge you’ve faced in your sport:

I broke a pole once in the air. It snapped and was scary, but it’s okay now.

What is your ultimate sporting goal?

To win the Olympic gold medal.

Who are your sporting heroes?

Dad and Mondo Duplantis — the pole vaulting world champion.

‘I couldn’t have done this without …’

My dad, my coach and nanna.

Do you have anything else you’d like to add?

Just love doing pole vault and love dad.