Canada's Sarah Mitton regaining elite shot put form ahead of nationals, world championships

Sarah Mitton learned the importance of being prepared for shot put competition long before setting Canadian records, competing at world championships and Olympics, and making an impact on the Diamond League professional circuit.

The 2019 FISU World University Games was the first time she was asked to compete in the morning and evening.

"It's hard to do," said the University of Windsor (Ont.) alumna, "because you're asking your nervous system to respond twice a day despite being fatigued. [I] probably [simulated it in training] five or six times before heading to the Games."

When Mitton arrived at the shot circle for the women's final in Naples, she spotted five or six of her opponents complaining of being tired.

"It felt like they were dragging," the Toronto resident recalled in an interview with CBC Sports before flying to B.C. for this week's Canadian track and field championships in Langley. "I remember [being] full of energy and excitement. Before the competition started, I knew I was going to win because I was the most prepared."

Mitton, then 23, won Canada's first gold medal at the event with a final throw of 18.31 metres, nearly 50 centimetres longer than her nearest competitor, for her first international podium finish.

While Mitton is determined to successfully defend her national title on Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, she has spent months gearing up for an altered women's format at the Aug. 19-27 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

On Aug. 26, the qualifying round will be held at 10:25 a.m. local time and the final less than 10 hours later at 8:15 p.m.

At worlds last summer in Eugene, Ore., where Mitton fell one cm short of a bronze medal, women's shot putters had over 24 hours rest between qualifying