When young did in style

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The most indispensable attribute of champions is their ability to deliver under pressure. Producing one’s best in training is indefinably different from doing the same in front of thousands of people in a competition. Jangling nerves do funny things in sports. Even big stars crumble at times.

A lot of people have talent and perseverance but what makes the winners stand out from other contestants is their knack to rise to the occasion.

The triple jump final of the CM’s trophy state level athletic meet conducted in Chennai last week witnessed a riveting climax. M.A. Siva Anbarasi of Coimbatore grabbed the lead from Rochelle Maria MacFarlane with a jump of 12.27m.

Rochelle, representing Chennai, had been leading from the start and her 12.24m looked good enough for gold until Anbarasi altered the equation. Now the pressure was on Rochelle. It was now or never as she had only one attempt to overtake Anbarasi.

A hush descended on the Nehru Stadium when Rochelle was about to start her run-up for her final attempt. Silence gave way to ovation as the 15-year-old Chennai girl accomplished her mission in some style: Rochelle had cleared 12.50m.

The gold was hers and the distance also turned out to be her personal best. Rochelle owed her fine effort to Anbarasi in a sense because without the Coimbatore girl’s pushing she may not have won gold with the jump of her fledgling career. The triple jump finale provided the lone bright spot on an otherwise dreary day at the CM’s trophy.

Watching Rochelle’s father Alban go through a rollercoaster of emotions during the triple jump final was a fascinating sideshow. Once the distance — 12.50m — was announced, an animated Alban ran towards Rochelle to offer his congratulations. He was beside himself with joy.

Rochelle, a Plus One student at St. Columbans Anglo-Indian School, said she loved the presence of her father on the sidelines. “He is my inspiration. Without his encouragement, I wouldn’t be doing well in athletics,” she added.

The teenager caught the athletics bug when she accompanied her elder sister Tanya to the ground five years ago.

Rochelle used to compete in the 100m, long jump and triple jump early in her career. Now she focuses only on the two jumps.

“I enjoy doing both the long jump and the triple jump. The national U-14 long jump record of 5.83m is in my name. Earlier this year, I won the triple jump gold at the School Games Federation of India meet with a new mark (12.13m),” she said.

Rochelle said taking part in the Olympics is her dream. “I’m ready to do any sacrifice to achieve that goal. My target for the next two years is to win a medal at the Asian junior championship in 2014.

I’m fortunate to have sports-loving parents. I get unstinting support from my school as well,” she added.

The young athlete doesn’t have the height to excel at the triple jump. She measures around 1.50m.

Wayne Peppin, former national long jump champion and Rochelle’s coach, said lack of height is indeed a disadvantage.

“At the same time, I believe she can overcome the shortcoming through hard work. Nothing is impossible for a willing mind.

I have seen shorter athletes do extremely well in the triple jump. Rochelle will be in her peak five years from now. Talented and hungry, she can go far,” he added.

Rochelle can count on Alban’s support all the time. Her father’s enthusiasm is infectious. Alban is such a hands-on guy on the ground that he doubles up as Rochelle’s coach when Peppin isn’t around.

“It is my duty to nurture my daughter’s talent,” the livewire father said. According to Rochelle, her dad radiates positive energy. “He never utters a negative word. His presence energises me,” she said.