With the recent world events, the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games has been postponed exactly one year, and will now be celebrated 23 July 2021 – 8 August 2021.
In the coming weeks, we will introduce Queensland’s Olympic hopefuls… working towards making their dreams of representing our sport on the biggest stage of all, come true.
A relative newcomer to the competition platform, Thunder Barbell Weightlifting Club athlete Sarah Cochrane has catapulted to success, making her first Australian team after only five competitions.
She has approached the challenge of qualifying for Tokyo head on, and is making incredible improvements along the way.
I was first introduced to weightlifting through CrossFit. I started CrossFit in 2012 at CrossFit Townsville and competed in my first weightlifting competition at the start of 2018.
I had some big goals in CrossFit and had some awesome experiences competing with World Class athletes. However, at the end of 2017, I realised that I was no longer enjoying my day to day training as much as I should be and needed to shake things up. I initially started to add more weightlifting into my program to reignite my love for training and because I felt more confident in my workouts when I felt strong. Mid way through 2018, it was made clear to me that I had some really big, really exciting opportunities ahead if I knuckled down and put the work specifically into Olympic Lifting – so that’s what I did.
How are you involved with developing the sport of weightlifting in Queensland?
The sport has grown significantly over the last year or so in North Queensland. We (CrossFit Townsville) now have a weightlifting club, Thunder Barbell, with many dedicated lifters who are chasing down their own goals. I have assisted my coach, Bryce Knight, on many school visits as part of the QWA Strong Kidz program and help out wherever I can around the gym.
I really enjoy helping to support our younger lifters and watching as their confidence and resilience improves in and out of the gym. We are all faced with so many challenges. There are so many people ready to point out faults and knock others down, especially in the world of social media. Our club has provided a place of belonging to many people, including myself. A place where we can have a laugh, support each other through strength and struggle, share our passion and grow into the champions that we are all meant to be. I love that I am able to be a part of that.
How have your training priorities changed in the lead up to Tokyo 2020?
My training priorities went from “let’s just do some comps for fun” to “you have a real shot at competing in Tokyo” in just a few months. There was no way I was going to back away from that challenge. I am very grateful for every experience I have had in weightlifting, but the qualification process has definitely been arduous for all of us. I have had the added bonus of learning how to be a ‘weightlifter’ while also competing in Olympic qualification events, which probably isn’t ideal, but I’m proud of the improvements I have made so far – physically, mentally and emotionally. Leading into Tokyo we have taken more risks and the bar was raised very quickly in terms of my own expectations and goals. It was definitely a lot to get my head around and a lot of sacrifices were made. It was a huge push, but I continue to prove to myself that I am able to rise to any challenge or opportunity that comes my way.
Who are your supporters and sponsors who have helped on your Olympic Games journey?
I have no official sponsors but I am very lucky to be a part of an amazing community in Townsville. The support I receive from my club and the wider community continues to blow my mind. I have had unwavering support from CrossFit Townsville since I started at the club and all the way through my weightlifting journey. I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing now without my club and the people in it. I have a family who has always encouraged me to chase my dreams and amazing friends who are always there when I need them. They have stood in as coach, travelled to support me at competitions, done airport drop off and pick ups, cooked dinners, provided hugs and listened to me whinge… the list goes on. My team extends to medical staff, doctors, physiotherapists, massage therapists, nutrition experts, psychologists and mental wellbeing coaches who all understand my goals and help keep me moving in the right direction.
My support network has also very quickly grown to include others from within Queensland, Australia and other countries across the world. I am very grateful to have such a diverse array of welcoming people around me who are willing to answer my ‘silly’ questions, help me find solutions to problems when they arise and share in my successes.
Tell us about your life outside the gym.
When I’m not at the gym I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I have one of the most spoilt dogs you’ll ever meet who is always by my side and loves to go on adventures with me. I also spend a lot of time making sure I’m optimising the recovery of my body and my mind, whether this be getting a massage, appointments with professionals or just sitting outside and doing some mindset work.
I work as a Speech Pathologist and am the owner of ‘Say It Your Way’. I work with people who have complex communication needs and require different forms of communication to either augment, or use instead of, their own speech. Think voice output devices, communication books, gestures and signs. I’m a strong believer that everyone deserves to share their own, unique thoughts and feelings and engage in meaningful conversations with others. This is no different for people with disabilities. Just because a person is unable to speak in the way that you do, doesn’t mean they have nothing to say. I’m inspired every single day by the kids, adults and families that I work with.
What would it mean to you to make the 2020 Australian Olympic Team?
It’s really hard to express what it would mean to make the Australian Olympic team. I feel unbelievably proud and appreciative every time I put on the green and gold. I would love to stand on the Olympic stage and represent my club, my hometown and all of those people who have helped me along the way. I would love to be a part of the unique Aussie spirit that shines during the Olympics and brings all Australians together. I would love to be able to use the Olympic platform to support a new generation of keen weightlifters and other sports people chase down their own dreams – to show them that it is possible.
Obviously there has been a lot of uncertainty around the Olympics this year and we need to prioritise our health, and the health of others, above all else right now. This has been a difficult time, but I have no doubt that this will not change the determination and work ethic of our athletes. We are strong, we are resilient and we will all be there to bring our country together via our sports, once we get through this.
Whether I make the team or not, I am very proud of what I have achieved. I know that I’ve done everything I can, to be the best athlete and person that I can be. My commitment and love for my sport won’t change and I know there is a lot more to come for this North Queenslander either way.
Sarah is in hot contention for the Continental – Oceana spot in the F64 category.
The Tokyo Summer Olympic Games will now be held 23 July 2021 – 8 August 2021.
