On his plans for 2019, Brad said, “With my return to Brazil, I will work a lot to establish the technical part, so I don’t oscillate anymore. I am working hard to feel more confident each time. I have the objective of increasing my steps to gain speed, focusing energy and putting more power to the pole. My coach Elson [Miranda] is making adaptations with the same purposes. New exercises, but with the same objective.”
Last year, two of Braz’s fellow pole vaulters, Russian athlete Timur Morgunov (6.00 meters) and Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis (6.05 meters), joined the six-meter club. “That felt very good. Despite pole vaulting being a competitive sport, I am always proud of my colleagues’ successes,” he said.
While last year may have been a year of challenges for Braz in the sport of pole vault, the 25-year-old pole vaulter acknowledged that he feels a lot more motivated to get where he aspires to be.
Speaking about turning 25 years old this past December, Braz said, “That felt very good. It’s always very good to celebrate another year of life. The future belongs to God, but I wouldn’t scratch that idea. One day, who knows.”
On his daily motivations, Braz said, “I am motivated by my love for sports and being close to my family and people that want me to do well. That is what motivates me even more.”
Digital transformation on the sport of pole vault
On the impact of technology on the sport of pole vault, Braz said, “Technology is here. It was already helping several athletes in the past with old video machines of biomechanics that caught the speed-time. Then, with the video, they related that with your physical abilities.”
“This helps the trainer and the athlete very much,” Braz said. “In reality, we have a feeling when we jump. We say to ourselves ‘that was a good jump,’ and then, from the outside, the coach is saying that it wasn’t, that it was ‘bad.’ In this regard, technology helps trainers to reach an improvement faster. So, at the moment, technology helps a lot and will keep helping more people.”
Regarding his use of technology in his daily routine as a pole vaulter, Braz said, “It is very cool to use the GoPro, it helps you and it captures your jump from various angles, as well as positioning and the way that you are landing. I always use it when I practice. The GoPro is really cool.”
His advice for young and aspiring pole vaulters is to be determined. “Regardless of your struggles, don’t give up of your dreams. Always persist and work hard to conquer your objectives,” he said.
Braz defined the word success as “the result of a job done with too much love.”
For his loyal fans, Braz expressed his deepest gratitude. “Thank you for your love, may God bless each one of you. I will be grateful for the rest of my life,” he said.
To learn more about Olympic gold medalist Thiago Braz, check out his official Facebook page.
