When Anna Cockrell crossed the finish line at the 2024 Rome Diamond League in a blistering 52.59 seconds, it wasn’t just a personal triumph—it was her first Diamond League victory, a significant milestone in her career.
The Olympic silver medalist showcased her exceptional speed and technique in the 400m hurdles, outpacing a strong field. However, the race notably lacked her biggest competitors, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol, the two hurdles powerhouses who have consistently dominated the event.
Cockrell’s performance in Rome was a clear indicator of her potential, but it also underscored the gap she needs to close if she is to challenge McLaughlin-Levrone, who set a world record time of 50.5 seconds in the same event.
While Cockrell’s personal best of 51.8 seconds is an impressive feat, it leaves her with considerable ground to cover. Yet, Cockrell is undeterred and is fully committed to pushing beyond her comfort zone to reach the top.
“We have just been trying some new race plans, believe it or not,” Cockrell shared in an interview with Citius Mag. Her willingness to adapt and evolve is a testament to her determination.
She added, “The coach gave me some new plans in the warm-up today [before the Rome Diamond League] and I was like, ‘You just love to get me out of my comfort zone,’ but that is why he is a great coach because it is never static or boring. He is always pushing the envelope.”
Cockrell’s approach to training reflects her understanding that to compete at the highest level, she must constantly innovate.
This mindset is crucial as she aims to close the gap on McLaughlin-Levrone. “A lot of people would be like, ‘You ran 51.8, what are you going to do next?’ and we are already on to the next things,” Cockrell said, indicating that she and her coach are already planning the next steps in her evolution as an elite hurdler.
Analyzing her race strategies and step patterns is part of Cockrell’s meticulous preparation. She highlighted the importance of being aggressive from the start:
“If you watch that race vs the Olympic finals, I think that was a much more aggressive first three hurdles. I am not going to say what it is, but people who are much more eagle-eyed can see what is happening, so we are finding some interesting stuff. It is not easy.”
As Cockrell continues to refine her techniques, she is also focusing on the future. “That is the goal for the next few races, getting a jump start for next season, trying some different race plans and different step patterns, seeing what feels good and what is manageable,” she explained.
