In the fifth episode of European Athletics' mini-documentary series My Story, Croatia's Sandra Perkovic narrates her path from throwing 35 metres to becoming the first athlete in any event to win five European titles in the same event.
Perkovic also remembers some of the key figures who have helped her along the way, including her mother who she described as her biggest supporter. 'She taught me that every year I need to work like it's my last year and I need to give more than one hundred percent,' said Perkovic who also recalled how she surprised her by coming to watch her win her fifth title at the Berlin 2018 European Athletics Championships.
Initially a shot putter in her formative years in the sport, Perkovic soon found her niche in the discus. Her long-time coach Ivan Ivancic, who died in 2014 shortly after Perkovic won her third European title in Zurich, predicted that she would one day become an Olympic champion even when she was only throwing the discus 35 metres.
'Ivan is a very important person in my life...he showed me the way, he gave me his best advice, he gave me power, courage and respect for the others. I'm still using those gifts from him,' said Perkovic.
The episode can be watched in its entirely in the video below.
The sixth episode featuring reigning world and European long jump champion Malaika Mihambo will be published later this month.
'I want to be remembered as the best female discus athlete ever.'
Sandra Perkovic