First up was Blake, sharing his sport of surfing with us, followed by Derek’s dissection of bodybuilding with members, now its Dom’s turn to spotlight his favored athletic pastime.  Dom is a champion decathlete.   The decathlon is an athletic event combining track and field events. Performance is judged on a points system in each event, not by the position achieved. The decathlon is contested by male athletes, while female athletes contest the heptathlon.

So you are a decathlete Dom, what is the decathlon?

The decatholon is 10 events: javelin, 110 hurdles ,400m run, long jump, high jump, pole vault, shot put, 100m dash, 1500m run and discus.

 What is your favorite and least favored event?

My favorite is the pole vault…I did it  my sophomore year in high school  and went to states my first year.  Competing during the indoor season and outdoor. I placed 4th as a sophomore in state, which led to me being recruited for the college I go to now.

My least favored was the shot put because i’m pretty short compared to the other decathletes. I’m more of a finesse and speed athlete than strength guy. I disliked it because I was at a disadvantage due to size.

 Then you’ve done really well in the sport, can you expand on that?

In high school I was All_State All Region All District for 3 years in indoor/outdoor track for pole vaulting.  My best finish was 3rd in state.  I was recruited and received scholarship money for college.

So, im guessing the decathlon is more of a cardio vascular sport than a strength one…is that right? 

The decathlon mixes strength and cardiovascular strength.  “Its the ultimate sport because you have to have everything from strenth, speed, flexibility, and of course mental power.”  You have to be well rounded, basically a natural athlete.

Tell us about your training.

Training is five times a week in the off season. I take a gymnastics class for pole vaulting. For the other events, there are days when we practice for about an 45 mins, plus run and lift.  During the in season we try not to do too much strenous stuff, light workouts and short practices are best.

I know its a competition, you against everyone else, but there are teams right…so its both and individual and team sport?

Its an individual event, as well as a team scoring event.   The more decathletes that a school has that finish high, then the more points that school gets.  So, you need to score points for your team, as well as for yourself. 

 Anything else to add?

My idols are roman sebrle (decathlete) and serge bubka (pole vaulter).   They are inspirational and competitors I admire.

 Thanks Dom!  It sounds like the decathlon really does encompass the true meaning of “athlete” and its cool that you excel in the sport.  Plus, thanks for taking the time and sharing with me and the members, always appreciated.  And kudos to Ang, for the hand with the pic!