Road to Beijing: Rocco van Rooyen

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Rocco van Rooyen (23 December 1992) is an South African javelin thrower. He placed 6th at the 2010 World Junior Championships and won 2011 gold at the African Junior Championships with a personal best of 75.72m. In March 2014, Rocco reached a new personal best of 80.10m in Bellville. He finished 6th at the Commonwealth Games and 6th at the African Championships. In May 2015 he set a new personal best of 85.39m (280′ 2″)in Cape Town, South Africa.

2009 67.40m (221′ 2″)
2010 74.13m (243′ 3″)
2011 75.72m (248′ 5″)
2012 71.36m (234′ 1″)
2013 72.66m (238′ 5″)
2014 80.10m (262′ 10″)
2015 85.39m (280′ 2″)

How has your training been going recently?

Last three weeks very well; the four weeks before that not so well, as my body was getting tired from trying to do two seasons (South African one as well as European one) I was throwing too much. Now, I have been throwing javelins for three weeks and confidence is going up again. I had no break between the South African and the European season.

What is the focus of your training schedule?

To be overall in good shape, combination between strength and speed and good mobility.

Is there anything new you are implementing into your training?

I’m always doing something new, more squash and touch rugby for now [laughter].

What technical issues are you working on?

None, I never have more technical issues than mental ones, so if I’m in a good mental state, I can throw further.

Where are you currently training?

In Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa mostly. Usually in the gym.

Will you be attending any training camps at another site? If so, where and when?

As far as I know I will not attend any training camps at another site. Our national team will probably going to Beijing in mid-August.

Who is your current coach?

I do not have a coach who trains me.

Are you currently working a job? If so, what and how many hours a week?

I coach javelin, buy and sell supplements. Maybe like, twenty-five hours a week. Up until end of May I was working for the Church at approximately fifty hours a week.

What competitions do you have planned?

For now, I do not have planned any competitions besides the World Championships.

Will any friends or family be travelling to Beijing?

Unfortunately, as far as I know there are neither friends nor family travelling to Beijing.

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