Dani Samuels has set so many 'first ever' achievements in the past season it is difficult to mention them all. Surffice it
to say she is WAC's greatest ever athlete. Linford Christie (Olympic Champion over 100 metres) was asked for his highlight of the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He replied "that 17 year old Aussie girl in the discus who beat all the big guns to snatch the bronze with her last throw". In fact Linford approached after the closing ceremony and told her "at your age being able to handle such pressure ... I believe one day you will be the Olympic Champion".
Clearly, Dani's Commonwealth Games campaign has been a well planned journey organised by WAC coach Denis Knowles. Twelve months ago Dani and Denis made a decision that the 2006 Melbourne Games was going to be her goal. From that moment on Dani bagan to receive support from the Westfields Family and the extended Westfields Family including the St Johns Park Bowling Club and rosemary and Wilf Mula. Her support also included Alex (Westfields Gymnastics coach) who worked on her balance and Hayden Knowles who worked on her strength. However the real key to Dani's success was the amazing trust and dedication that formed the partnership between her and and Denis Knowles.
Not being allowed full accreditation and access to the training track in Melbourne, Denis overcame this obstacle by seeking permission from one of the local schools to allow Dani to train with Denis in Melbourne. Amusingly, the area wasn't large enough and Dani let go one of her big throws and the discus sailed over the fence landing in the streets of Melbourne. Denis climbed up the fence and called out to the crowd of people walking to the stadium "excuse me ... can we get our discus back".
Looking at Dani's 2006-06 season is like looking at an entire career of achievements. World Youth Champion and Bronze medallist, Australian Open Champion in both Discus and Shot Put. Dani becomes they youngest ever femal to medal in a throwing event at the Commonwealth Games. Dani will fly to China in August to attempt to add then title of World Junior Champion to her credentials. With her current P.B. in discus at 59.44 metres, it won't be long before she joins the '60 metre club'
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International Meets
2005 World Youth Morocco Disc 54.09 Gold
2005 World Youth Morocco Shot P 15.53 Bronze
2006 Commonwealth Games Disc 59.44 Bronze
2006 Commonwealth Games Shot 14.71 12th
National Series:
Brisbane Series Discus 58.92 1st ARU18
Sydney Series Shot Put 15.24 1st
Telstra A Series
Melbourne Telstra A
National Championships
2005 Australian All School U20 Shot 14.67 Gold
2005 Australian All School U20 Discus 53.05 Gold
2005 Australian All School U18 Shot 14.20 Gold
2005 Australian All School U18 Discus 52.96 Gold
2006 Australian Open Shop Put 15.98 Gold
2006 Australian Open Discus 54.72 Gold
2006 Australian U20 Shot P.
2006 Australian U20 Discus
State Championships
2005 NSW CHS 17+ Shot 14.71 Gold rec
2005 NSW CHS 17+ Discus 48.12 Gold
2005 NSW All Schools 17 Shot 14.92 Gold
2005 NSW All Schools 17 Discus 47.43 Gold
2005 NSW Relay U18 4xSP 43.57 Gold
2005 NSW Relay U18 4xdis 156.30 Gold
2005 NSW Open Open Shot 14.63 Gold
2005 NSW Open Open Discus 50.68 Gold
2006 NSW Open Open Shot 14.63 Gold
2006 NSW Open Open Discus 50.68 Gold
2006 NSW U20 U20 Shot 14.36 Gold
2006 NSW U20 U20 Discus 56.18 Gold
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