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Patterson strives to improve before Rio

Australian Rio-bound long jumper Eleanor Patterson holds herself to pretty high expectations - highers than what secured her a fourth national on Sunday.

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Source: AAP


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She's booked a ticket to her first Olympics as a genuine medal prospect, but teenage high jump star Eleanor Patterson is far from content.

Patterson won her fourth national title in Sydney on Sunday after clearing 1.90 metres to beat runner-up Zoe Timmers (1.87m).

While it secured her automatic selection for Rio, the jump was less than the Commonwealth Games Games gold medallist's Olympic-qualifying 1.93m last month - and even further off her 1.96m personal best.

"I'm a bit disappointed," Patterson said.

"I guess the job's done, but I always want more out of myself and want to jump higher."

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Despite having little international experience, Patterson is rated as one of Australia's best medal chances in Rio.

Along with her 2014 Glasgow Games success, the shy 19-year-old from Leongatha in Victoria also won gold at the 2013 world youth championships, and last year in Beijing became Australia's youngest-ever qualifier for a senior world championships final.

As far as major overseas meets go that's it, and she's still not sure whether she'll gain anymore experience abroad in the four months before Rio.

Patterson is well known for her refusal to accept the full funding she's entitled to from Athletics Australia, preferring instead to remain with her childhood coach David Green in Gippsland.

Regardless, outside expectations remain high.

So much so that joint Australian record holder Vanessa Browne-Ward (1.98m) has tipped the young talent to crack the 2m barrier at some point in her career.

Patterson insists she doesn't feel any pressure, though will still hold herself to her own high expectations at her debut Olympics.

"It's an amazing feeling to qualify, that's for sure," she said.

"I think every young kid always has high hopes, but you don't really know what it takes.

"So once you're in this position it's a great honour."


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