I was so excited I excited when I found out that Dani won, I jumped up and cheered. I was in the middle of volleyball practice and everyone thought I was nuts until I explained my happiness. I got to watch a strength training session with her and her coach Denis Knowles and his son who designs her strength training program in 2007. What an impressive athlete, with great coaching! Denis has a long term plan which is certainly coming to fruition. She did not begin heavy traditional weight training to any extent until 2008, instead building a good foundation of “functional strength.” At that time she took gymnastics two days week including trampoline, in addition she was a national class basketball player, in short a real athlete. You take those qualities, couple that with great coaching and the support structure at New South Wales Academy of sport and you have a world champion. I think her best is still ahead. I first met her coach Denis Knowles in 1996, during my first trip to Australia. He is a tireless learner and a real gentlemen, always willing to share ideas. It is great to see someone like Denis produce a champion at the highest level. Coaching does matter.
