Brought to you by Edward Ovadia who is in Berlin with official IAAF accreditation covering the championships for Runnerstribe.com

Runnerstribe: You're going in as the most underrated medal chance in the Aussie team. Is that how you see yourself, does it help take some of the pressure off?

Dani Samuels I feel like I could get a medal if I compete to the best of my ability like I have been over the last 12 months. So if I can reiterate that, then I can definitely make the top 8; but in terms of a medal, it's just about making the final, making the top 8, and then in those last few throws, if I've got the opportunity, then take it.

RT: What are your goals for the World Champs, what would you come away happy with?

DS: My first goal is to make it out of qualifying. If you're focusing only on a medal, you have to get through the qualifying round, go home, train for a few days, and then come back out for the final, it can be difficult. So you really have to focus on what's first. Once I make the top 8, that's my ultimate goal, because once you make the final anything can happen. Hopefully I'll throw to the best of my ability!

RT:You've been very consistent recently, how important is that going into a big meet like this?

DS: Definitely. I can compare this year to last year, because my best was similar, but last year I was throwing consistently at 60 to 61 metres, and occasionally I'd throw a massive throw but it would go out of the sector, so it was very hit and miss. But this year is a lot more consistent, the last few competitions showed that. 'Consistency is what wins medals', my coach (Dennis Knowles) always says.

RT: You're the youngest person in an event where people get better with more years in the bank. How does that make you feel?

DS: Last year I felt a bit that way, I felt a bit like 'I don't know if I really belong out here with these girl'. But after the Olympics I reevaluated everything, my attitude, my training, everything. Because I did feel that way at the Olympics, and I knew it wasn't the best attitude to have. I realised I was putting too much pressure on myself, so I now go out there, have fun, enjoy myself, and take on the best!

RT: In an event that can take quite a while to complete, how do you stay focused?

DS: It's one of the challenges of being a field eventer, most finals take an hour and a half. So it's hard when Usain Bolt is out there running the 100m, and you're thinking 'Don't watch that, you have to stay focused, you're up in three'. So you definitely have to switch off a tiny bit, so that you're not mentally drained.

RT: What is it you love about discus throwing? It's got a wonderfully rhythmic feel...

DS: When it's done properly it looks very poetic and very - not to sound corny - beautiful. When you absolutely nail a technique, it feels effortless, and it looks perfect. When you get that feeling, it's very rare, but when you absolutely nail it, it feels great.

RT: Thanks Dani! All the best for this week.

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