By his own reckoning, the seemingly injury-cursed Henry Frayne has only done about 25 long jumps competitions in his life.
So it speaks volumes for Frayne's prodigious talent that whenever his body has been anywhere near 100 per cent he's still been a potential world beater.
The high-water mark to date was early 2012, when Frayne claimed silver in the long jump at the world indoors and went on to finish ninth at the London Olympics despite battling a foot injury.
He did not compete at all in 2013 and then managed just three events in 2014 and two last year as the hamstring, groin and back problems continued to mount up.
So it was hardly surprising that he was nervous heading into the national titles in Sydney - his first meet of 2016 - especially when he felt yet more pain in a hamstring.
Having successfully negotiated Friday's qualifying round, Frayne wound back the clock on Sunday with his biggest two jumps since 2012 - 8.16m and 8.15m - to guarantee a spot on the Rio Games team.
Australia could well have three legitimate medal contenders in the Olympic men's long jump.
Reigning world indoor and outdoor silver medallist Fabrice Lapierre won the national title on Sunday with 8.27m, while London Olympics silver medallist Mitchell Watt remains hopeful of overcoming his own injury concerns in time for Rio.
"I had planned to do a maximum of three jumps today and then the adrenaline took over," said the 25-year-old Frayne.
"I'm a competitive beast so I said to Gary (Bourne) `you're going to have to make a coach's call because otherwise I'm just going to keep going'."
Frayne said it was not until 2014 that he even entertained the thought of quitting the sport - and even then it wasn't for long.
"I always thought I'd keep competing until 32-plus and go to (the 2020 Tokyo Olympics) for sure," he said.
"Over that four years the thoughts started to creep in.
"I start to vocalise these things but down deep when I thought about it I could never quit.
"I'm too competitive."
So competitive that he is aiming for the top at Rio.
"If I can get an injury-free run into the Olympics I'm really confident of getting into the medals and hopefully the best medal," he said.
"History will suggest I will have at least one, two or three niggles before the Olympics.
"But that's the challenge."
Frayne even holds out some hope of doubling up in the triple jump, although that seems unlikely due to the physical toll of the event.
Share
