Personal bests – Tiffany Porter

European 100m hurdles champion and world bronze medallist Tiffany Porter talks about the best things in her athletics career.

My best athletics achievement

Winning a bronze medal at the Moscow World Championships was huge. It was a major redemption for me coming off the disappointment of the London Olympic year. That year I suffered injury and wondered if I wanted to carry on in the sport. A close second to winning bronze in Moscow was being top of the podium at the European Championships. There is no feeling like it. It is addictive.

The best athlete I’ve ever seen

I’m so torn. There are so many great athletes; Usain Bolt, David Rudisha, Ashton Eaton. I am partial to the sprints, so I will say Usain Bolt. He is something special.

My best friend in athletics

That’s easy: my husband, Jeff Porter. We’ve known each other for 10 years and I met him aged 17. Jeff’s been there for me every day – he has been my back bone. He was there for me during the year (2012) I wanted to quit. He really motivates me to want to do better.

My best coach

I had great success with my old coach, James Henry, who helped me reach all of my goals as a collegiate athlete. Now as a pro I’ve had a lot of success with my current coach, Rana Reider. He has helped me win major championship medals and set PBs, so I’ll say both James and Rana.

My biggest weakness

I really like to help people. I like to see the good in people and try to be as kind as possible. Sometimes people take my kindness for weakness.

My greatest rival

With the hurdles being as deep as it is right now and so much talent in the event, I would say my greatest rival is whoever is on top. Last year Dawn Harper Nelson was on top. The year before, Brianna (Rollins); the year before that, Sally (Pearson). Whoever is on top of their game, you naturally want to beat. To be completely honest, I would say my greatest rival is my mind. I tend to over-think and over-complicate things. Sometimes I can be my own worst enemy.

My best piece of kit

I loved the GB Olympic kit in 2012. It looked really cute – a great merge of fashion and sport. I really like the Adidas clothes, they really fit me well. I know I am paid to say that, but they genuinely do.

My biggest disappointment

I know I talk about it a lot, but the 2012 Olympic Games. I had never been injured before, so to pick up an injury before the biggest competition of my life took me a while to bounce back from. I have become a better athlete for the experience.

My biggest regret

I don’t have any major regrets. I do believe the journey and the disappointments along the way form who you are.

My best achievement outside of athletics

Graduating with my doctorate in pharmacy in 2012 was a huge accomplishment for me. Some people perhaps see you only as an athlete and don’t understand you have other aspects to your life and other passions. I am very passionate about my pharmacy career.

Steve Landells for the IAAF