The natural follow-up to the first ever 10 Question Takeover on training camp in Tenerife is, of course, a competition in the pouring rain of Kilmarnock in the West of Scotland.
Here are Scottish decathletes Andrew Murphy, Howard Bell and Matt Chandler with a few competition clips and their quick fire 10-question takeover. Enjoy! All action photos by Bobby Gavin for Scottish Athletics.
INTRODUCTIONS
I’m Andrew Murphy, a Scottish decathlete based in Glasgow. My personal best is 7594 points and today we’re competing at the Ayrshire Links Arena, in the hurdles, pole vault and the discus (and he brought some friends – fellow Scottish decathletes Howard Bell and Matt Chandler)
WHAT’S YOUR EARLIER MEMORY OF DECATHLON?
Howard: my earliest memory of decathlon was watching Ashton Eaton win London 2012
WHO’S YOUR FAVOURITE DECATHLETE OF ALL TIME AND WHY?
Howard: My favourite decathlete of all time is Andrew Murphy. So inspirational (gets emotional)
WHICH PERFORMANCE ARE YOU THE MOST PROUD OF?
Howard: my proudest moment was winning the England U23 indoor heptathlon
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS IN DECATHLON?
Andy: my goals in decathlon are to go to the Commonwealth Games next year, and aspire towards 8000 points.
WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Matt: Speed is key
WHICH EVENT DO YOU WANT TO IMPROVE THE MOST IN DECATHLON?
Matt: well, I just ran 16.7 in the senior hurdles today so…probably my shot put.
WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TALENT OR SKILL?
Andy: My secret talent is…I play the bagpipes.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE/LEAST FAVOURITE TRAINING SESSION?
Matt: They’re all terrible. I’m on my back after every single one.
WHAT’S THE WEIRDEST THING TO HAPPEN TO YOU IN A DECATHLON?
Andy: The weirdest thing to happen to me in a decathlon is I once won a wheel of cheese in the Netherlands.
WHAT 3 WORDS WOULD YOUR TRAINING PARTNERS/COMPETITORS USE TO DESCRIBE YOU?
Matt: Slow-twitch, technical model.
