An Olympic champion to fall back on is turning into positive for Dixie export and new Australian Modern Pentathlon champion Tully Watt.
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Rio Olympic Gold Medalist Chloe Esposito congratulated the 17-year-old on becoming the youngest winner of the Australian Modern Pentathlon Nationals since the she did it as a 16-year-old in 2007.
Watt finished ahead of West Australian pair Nikita Mawhirt, a Youth Olympic Games representative, and Victoria Squire at the titles in Brisbane on Sunday.
The Melbourne-based athlete said she had formed a close relationship with Esposito after they crossed paths at an AIS camp. Since then she has quickly become a great sound board for the emerging Modern Pentathlete.
"She is really good friend and she sent a message congratulating me and it's nice to have that support," she said of Esposito's text.
"She said to me 'Congrats it's worth pushing through those hard times to get those results'.
"I have in the past called her up and she is a great support and resource for me to have."
Watt said she was more excited about improving her personal best instead of the victory.
The year 12 Maribyrnong Sports Academy student said she still had work to do before the World Juniors, where she will be in Australian relay team, in Poland and the Youth World Championships in Bulgaria in July.
"Hoping to do more pbs there and keep getting those times in the right direction," she said.
"I am definitely still trying to be consistent with training and being in year 12 it means I’m not doing much training but when I do it's about consistency and making sure I’m committed to the all my sessions."
Watt said she was happy with the way she completed her four disciplines at the national titles.
“My fencing went really well and there was probably only two bouts where I mucked up but I got a lot of competitors I didn’t expect to, so that was really exciting too," she said.
“The ride I was a bit worried about because I was jumping lower (1.00m) I thought I would drop behind but that went really smoothly, and I’m really happy with my combined time.”
Watt swam a new 200-metre best time of 2:26.85. She was targeting a two minutes and 27 seconds but left the pool feeling "very happy" with her performance and with a lead she wouldn't relinquish for the remaining three events.
She continued her strong form in the fencing to finish with 24 victories and only 10 defeats before completing a clear round in the show jumping.
The south-west export received a 30-point penalty for not jumping at the maximum height but still held a four second lead going into final leg - the laser run.
She finished the day with a huge PB of 13 minutes 30 seconds in the laser run to cap off a dominant debut in the top class.
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
