Fast Fives
DALE MILLER and JONATHAN COOK throw Fast Five questions to WA athletes in New Delhi.
JODY HENRY, Athletics
Who was your childhood hero?
I'd say probably Flo-Jo and then it probably changed to Cathy Freeman as I got older.
What do you do in your spare time?
I don't have a lot of spare time. I'm at uni and I work, so there's not a whole lot of it, but when I do get a chance I do really like to go to the movies and have dinner with my friends. That's probably what I enjoy doing the most.
What's on your iPod?
I'm a bit of a mixer, so I've got Plain White T's and I've got Birds of Tokyo. I've got some old stuff like Lionel Richie.
What is your first memory of competition in your sport?
Probably my most prominent memory is I did little athletics and I wasn't very good at it and my Mum just used to tell me every week, she'd say, 'don't worry, there's always next week. You can always try again next week' because I used to suck.
Which three people, past or present, would you invite to dinner?
I'd say Nelson Mandela, Flo-Jo and probably my uncle who's passed away.
SUSAN FUHRMANN, Netball
Who was your childhood hero?
My parents. I'm just so close to my family and absolutely love them. I mean they were basically my inspiration growing up.
What do you do in your spare time?
What spare time? I'm studying pharmacy at the moment, so basically when I'm not on a netball court I'm studying. But other than that I love just spending a bit of time by myself, going shopping, going to the beach, reading a book, that sort of thing. Just getting some general down time is always good.
What's on your iPod?
A bit of everything. I love Casting Crowns, they're probably my favourite.
What is your first memory of competition in your sport?
Just playing with mates down at my local recreation centre, just getting out there and having so much fun every Saturday.
Which three people, past or present, would you invite to dinner?
I'd have to say my folks again. I seriously do not get enough time with my family. I live in Perth, train in Perth, everything's in Perth and I hardly ever get to see them. Also my Grandma who's passed on.
CAMERON MEYER, Cycling
Who was your childhood hero?
Stuart O'Grady. I remember watching Stuart at the Athens Olympics when he won the Gold medal for the madison. I was inspired by his ride and had a real desire from then to be like him and win hold at the Olympics one day.
What do you do in your spare time?
Play a game of golf with friends, watch movies and listen to music.
What’s on your iPod?
Ministry of Sound.
What is your first memory of competition in your sport?
Racing in my first event out of Western Australia. It was the junior track national championships in Alice Springs were I placed fourth in the scratch race.
Which three people, past or present, would you invite to dinner?
Jennifer Hawkins, Eddy Merckx and Mark Ricciuto.
LAUREN MITCHELL, Gymnastics
Who was your childhood hero?
My childhood hero was Svetlana Khorkina. She was an amazing gymnast and went to three Olympics. I remember watching her at the Sydney Olympics and thinking I wanted to be just like her.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time I catch up on my studies and like to hang out with friends and my family.
What’s on your iPod?
On my iPod is mostly indie/rock songs, which include Birds of Tokyo, Gyroscope, and Triple J songs.
What is your first memory of competition in your sport?
I remember watching a video of myself competing beam when I was about eight and I fell off and looked really disappointed in myself, but remembering this always reminds me of where I’ve come from.
Which three people, past or present, would you invite to dinner?
Emma Watson because I’m a massive fan of the Harry Potter series and she looks like she would be an amazing person to have dinner with. Drew Barrymore because she’s gorgeous and she seems like she has a bubbly personality. Taylor Lautner because I am a Twilight fan and he’s pretty hot.
DEONNE BRIDGER, Archery
Who was your childhood hero?
My grandfather James Weaver. I always looked up to him and he had some fantastic advice for me which I still remember now.
What do you do in your spare time?
Catching up with friends for dinner and a few quiet drinks and spending time with my family, especially my neice Kailee and nephew Thomas.
What’s on your iPod?
I have loads of stuff, but I do like my Grinspoon, Metallica, Greenday and Foo Fighters to pump me up before a comp.
What is your first memory of competition in your sport?
I actually can remember shooting my first field event in Kalgoorlie when I was four. It was really hot, we shot around the slag dumps and I had to walk a really long way. I couldn’t always make the distance to the targets with my light bow. It was really exciting.
Which three people, past or present, would you invite to dinner?
Nelson Mandela because I admire his leadership principles and determination. My Mum because I miss her a lot and Matthew McConaughey because he is really hot.
MICHAEL FREIBERG, Cycling
Who was your childhood hero?
Peter Pan because growing up is over rated.
What do you do in your spare time?
Sitting at a good coffee shop, with a good baguette in one hand and great brew in the other, watching the world meander by.
What’s on your iPod?
Florence and the Machine, Dog Days Are Over.
What is your first memory of competition in your sport?
Riding around the top of the very, very, very high banks in the Midland SpeedDome on my brand spanking new track racing bike thinking this has got to be the most exciting thing I am ever going to do.
Which three people, past or present, would you invite to dinner?
Leonardo Da Vinci, so I could teach him how an iPad works. Alexander the Great, so he could teach me how to win an Age of Empires II game on hard. Russell Brand, because then the after-party would be epic.
JAYDE TAYLOR, Hockey
Who was your childhood hero?
Roger Federer
What do you do in your spare time?
I don’t have a lot of spare time but when I do I just relax and watch a bit of TV.
What’s on your iPod?
Anything and everything. I’m not a bit music fan so I’m happy to listen to whatever’s on.
What is your first memory of competition in your sport?
Watching my step dad, who introduced me to the sport, trying to run up and down the field. He was really fit but had no skill whatsoever.
Which three people, past or present, would you invite to dinner?
Michael Jackson, my Pa (grandfather) and Nelson Mandela.
JOSIE TOMIC, Cycling
Who was your childhood hero?
My mum.
What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy relaxing with my friends and family, drinking coffee, going to the beach, laying in the sun, shopping, basically anything to just relax and enjoy my down time.
What’s on your iPod?
My favourite artist at the moment is Inna, who is really big in Spain where I have been living all year. However, I love all different types of music, depending on my mood or what I’m doing.
What is your first memory of competition in your sport?
I remember winning my first track cycling race and the thrill I got not only from winning, but from being on a bike with no brakes. Going as fast as you can was awesome and something I wanted to feel many more times.
Which three people, past or present, would you invite to dinner?
My Mum, my brother and my boyfriend – the three most important people in my life.
JAMES STANNARD, Rugby Sevens
Who was your childhood hero?
Former Canterbury and St George fullback Mick Potter.
What do you do in your spare time?
Play golf, hang out with my mates and chill out.
What’s on your iPod?
Live, Counting Crows, Cold Chisel, AC-DC.
What is your first memory of competition in your sport?
Running out at Twickenham, the home of English rugby, on my debut.
Which three people, past or present, would you invite to dinner?
My girlfriend Kim, my rugby sevens teammate and good friend Brackin Karauria-Henry and rugby league great Andrew Johns.
JOHNNY SQUILLACE, Boxing
Who was your childhood hero?
Actually, growing up I didn’t follow boxing. I was into soccer and basketball and my hero was Michael Jordan.
What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy hanging out with all my mates and going for a cruise to the beach in my car.
What’s on your iPod?
I listen to a bit of everything — hip hop, RnB, dance, rock and whatever is out at the time.
What is your first memory of competition in your sport?
Jumping up in the ring and looking around at the crowd and thinking ‘wow, this is full on.’ And the adrenaline was pumping. I went on to win that bout and the feeling I got after the fight was unbelievable.
Which three people, past or present, would you invite to dinner?
Jim Carrey, 50 cent and Kim Kardashian.
