Multi-eventer Abi Pawlett has just returned from an unbelievable experience at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, where she represented Great Britain & Norther Ireland for the first time as a senior. Competing in the pentathlon consisting of 60m hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump and 800m, Pawlett showcased her excellence and spoke to us about how her indoor season went and what’s on the cards for the future.
After a busy couple of weeks spanning British Championships and BUCS, leaving British Championships with a silver medal in 60mH followed by a gold medal, new PB of 8.17, and championship record at BUCS. Pawlett was beyond grateful and shocked to get the invite to Worlds as she says “it was ‘not on my competition plan this year.” She instantly called her parents to share the good news and prepared for her senior debut.
Her confidence in the hurdles showed by consistently running 8.2’s and in the long jump, Abbie described how “I was only a couple centimetres down from where I have been. And after 14.16m at BUCS in shot, I was slightly disappointed here at Worlds but I’m just glad I could bounce back.”
Placing a tremendous 3rd in the 60mH with a time of 8.25 and 9th overall in the pentathlon at Worlds, Pawlett tells us that she is “just so grateful to be here, I didn’t think I’d be coming, let alone competing. I’m just super grateful for that.” Though Pawlett was slightly disappointed not to have built upon her prior races, she was beyond proud of herself, performing in front a massive home crowd.
She detailed her indoor season so far and how she has “done more combined events in the past two months than I have in the past two years, so it has been a journey.”
When questioned on what is next, Pawlett has her eyes set on Europeans, calling the Olympics “a stretch but to never rule it out.” She commented on the “sheer number of British girls competing in the heptathlon at the minute,” so is setting her priorities on Europeans, with BUCS to look forward to as well.
It is evident that Pawlett has a bright future ahead, and we wish her the best of luck as she makes Loughborough and Great Britain & Northern Ireland proud.
Edited by: Jasmine Trapnell
