Earlier than turning into the world heptathlon champion, American Anna Corridor made her mark within the 400m hurdles. Now taking an analogous route is British teenager Arabella Wilson.
A standout over the 400m hurdles, Wilson positioned fourth within the UK senior rankings this 12 months with a PB of 57.34, set whereas ending fifth on the European U20 Championships in Tampere.
She’s the one feminine athlete to have ever gained all six lengthy hurdles titles throughout English Faculties and SIAB. On prime of that, she broke the UK U20 300m hurdles document this summer time [41.05] and nonetheless holds the quickest 400m hurdles time ever recorded by a British 15-year-old.
Although a navicular stress fracture in early 2023 paused her progress within the heptathlon, Wilson has just lately moved to Duke College within the US, the place she is about to proceed creating in each the mixed occasions and the 400m hurdles.
How did you first get into athletics?
I’ve all the time been very concerned about sports activities. In Guildford, the place I grew up, I used to be a part of the Younger Athletes Membership – a membership for athletes underneath the age of 13 run by two wonderful folks.
However it was my major faculty trainer who seen I would truly be fairly good at athletics. Once I was in Yr 5, she began giving me some teaching outdoors of college and helped me qualify for the Nationwide Prep Faculties competitors.
I bear in mind saying to my mum: “If I make the ultimate of the 100m, can I get my ears pierced?” I didn’t suppose I’d make the ultimate, so I believed she’d say sure, and he or she did. Then I made the ultimate, which was a cool expertise. Till that time, I’d been doing quite a lot of cross-country, after which I realised I used to be truly fairly good at sprinting, too.
What’s your relationship with the heptathlon like?
My past love in athletics was all the time the heptathlon. I bear in mind watching Jessica Ennis-Hill on the 2012 Olympics and considering: “Wow, that’s so cool, I wish to do this.” I learn her autobiography and all the time thought: “I actually suppose I might be good at this. I wish to have a go.”
I did nicely once I was youthful however, in the summertime of 2023, I obtained a stress fracture in my navicular, which was terrible. I had certified to symbolize Workforce England on the Commonwealth Youth Video games in Trinidad and Tobago which was going to be my first large worldwide competitors however I needed to make the troublesome determination to tug out. I believe it was the precise determination.
How did you fall into the 400m hurdles?
I had already determined I wished to strive the 400m hurdles by the point of my harm, and afterwards I by no means fairly obtained again to the identical degree in multi-events. The coaching load for the heptathlon is so intense, and the strain on my foot made it onerous to return.
I actually discovered that I beloved the 400m hurdles and was fairly good at it, so we determined to give attention to that for the summers of 2023, 2024 and 2025. I did do one heptathlon this 12 months, although, and now I’m primarily coaching as a heptathlete once more at college. I really feel like I’ve a lot untapped potential within the occasion and wish to see how far I can get.
I’m additionally going to proceed with the 400m hurdles. I wish to see how far I can go along with each, and perhaps ultimately I’ll have to decide on one, however for now they complement one another nicely. The 400m hurdles is a brutal occasion, however so is the heptathlon.
What was your European U20 Championships expertise like?
Simply getting there felt like an achievement, however I knew I used to be in good condition after a stable winter coaching season. My mindset was to offer it every part, I had nothing to lose. There was no assure I’d make the semi-final or the ultimate, however I gave it my greatest in each race.
Being on the observe with the perfect in Europe, a few of whom I’d solely seen on-line, was wonderful. Being in competition with them felt surreal.Wanting again, I may have gained a bronze medal. It was that shut. However I used to be tremendous completely satisfied to come back fifth with a small PB. It was the primary time I’d run a warmth, semi, and closing, and I discovered quite a bit about managing tiredness.
How are you discovering coaching within the US?
It’s been overwhelming at instances, residing on the opposite facet of the world from my household, adjusting to American tradition, however I’m embracing it. My coaching group is gorgeous, the coaches are wonderful, and so they’ve made me really feel actually welcome.
What’s all the time been essential to me is constant with my lecturers. I do know I can’t be an athlete perpetually. I wish to get a job someday, and I wish to go so far as I can academically.
One of many key elements in selecting the US was the chance to coach virtually like an expert athlete whereas additionally getting a level. The UK system doesn’t actually help that mixture in the identical method. It’s getting higher, nevertheless it’s not fairly the identical.
The campus at Dukes is gorgeous, the observe is surrounded by large bushes, and it looks like a house away from dwelling.
Who do you look as much as?
Within the 400m hurdles, I’m massively impressed by Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. What she’s executed has redefined what folks thought was attainable, not simply within the hurdles however within the 400m too.
By way of British athletes, Jessie Knight has additionally impressed me and as I discussed earlier, Jessica Ennis-Hill has been my major idol since I used to be younger. Somebody who’s been particularly essential within the final couple of years is Niamh Emerson. She’s had a really troublesome time with accidents, she truly had the identical harm as me. I reached out to her, and we’ve been in touch since. She’s supplied recommendation and perspective, which has been extremely useful.
When you may return to your youthful self while you first began this journey, what would you inform her?
I’d say: “Strive every part. You by no means know what you’re going to be good at. Don’t restrict your self. Embrace each alternative. You may get injured, something can occur, so be sure to all the time give 100 per cent to every part you do. Nothing can take away from onerous work”.
