Bianca Knight is an American former track and field athlete, who competed in the 100 and 200 meters. At the 2012 Summer Olympics Knight won a team event gold medal in the 4×100 metres relay team. In the final, the quartet of Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix, Knight and Carmelita Jeter, broke a standing 27 year old world record.
Women Fitness President talks to track & field athlete about her journey to success.
Namita Nayyar:
You attended Ridgeland High School in Ridgeland, Mississippi and won the female Gatorade Athlete of the Year in track and field in 2006. Besides you hold the distinction of being the inaugural Mississippi native to win a Gatorade Athlete of the Year award. What factors do you consider were responsible that made you achieve this goal?
Bianca Knight:
Being the only Mississippian to win a Gatorade Athlete of the Year award is one of my greatest honors, especially considering how many talented athletes our state has produced. I believe that because I dominated in my sport beginning in the 7th grade as a 13 year old, and also due to having good grades, I believe those factors made it really hard for me to be looked over.
Namita Nayyar:
Exercises that comprise your fitness regime you shall like to share? 5 all-time full-body stretches.
Bianca Knight:
5 exercises that I absolutely love and I believe are very helpful for the body as a whole are Russian Dead Lifts —single legged and together, wood chops, Russian twists, barbell squats, and dumbbell snatches. These are just exercises that I feel make me feel more fluid afterwards, and they involve my entire body.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit? The food you eat while traveling to other countries?
Bianca Knight:
I’ve never had a super strict diet. Typically I just cut back on things I shouldn’t have a lot of. My nutritionist would usually pack things for me to eat for travel days, like pretzels, Luna Bars, Cliff Bars, etc. Going to other countries is definitely hit or miss on the food, so packing things like tuna, noodles, or any other food that travels well and won’t go bad before you make it is usually a good idea.
Full interview is continued on next page
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
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Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding athletes who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in the field of sports?
Bianca Knight:
Things that I would tell the budding athletes of today would be: Stay true to yourself. You know your body and your mind better than anyone, always remember that. Don’t overthink or be too hard on yourself… you have the most success when things are fun and everything comes together when & as it should. You won’t have to force it when it’s meant to be.
Namita Nayyar:
You didn’t even know what the lanes were for when you went to your first track practice at the age of 12 and were able to beat everyone. As a child this must have been an eye-opener to the world of sports, never to look back. What would be your advice to young girls regarding sports?
Bianca Knight:
I’d tell young girls who are interested in sports to try them all. I played softball, basketball, I did dance (Jazz), but I found that I had the most fun in track and field. Don’t be afraid to go out there and sweat! We (women) can do whatever we put our minds to. Do not limit yourself.
Namita Nayyar:
Your greatest success so far was at the 2012 Olympic Games, where you ran an excellent third leg on the USA’s 4x100m Relay Team, which not only won gold going away but shattered the world record, which had been held by East Germany since 1985. Looking back how would you define that success.
Bianca Knight:
Winning the 4×100 and setting a World Record at the London Games in 2012 was a summation of all of the hard work I put into my craft beginning at the age of 12. Going out there that day, I just remember feeling so light and so happy and just proud to be competing for that top spot at the Olympics. I did not know it would result in a world record, so that was just the cherry on top of one of the greatest competitions I was able to be apart of.
Namita Nayyar:
As a University of Texas freshman, you won the 2008 indoor NCAA 200 m championship in a collegiate record time of 22.40. Turning a professional following your freshman indoor campaign, you finished 5th at the 2008 US Olympic Trials in the 200 m? What drew you take up sports as a profession? Your family support and coach, share their contribution.
Bianca Knight:
What drew me to take up sports as a profession was what it could mean for me and my future family. I did not come from a lot. I always had what I needed; however, I wanted to lay the foundation early to provide things for my future (not present) children that I did not get to have or experience. It was the greatest decision I could have made.
Namita Nayyar:
Your other dreams and passion? How do you plan to make a contribution towards the society for women at large?
Bianca Knight:
Right now, I have a foundation (The Bianca Knight Foundation / BKFGives.org) that helps aid in the develop of student athletes, particularly track and field athletes. I’ve always had a passion for giving back and sharing my knowledge and wisdom with others, so that is what I have transitioned into following the closing of my career as a professional athlete.
Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your biggest influence and motivation in your path to success?
Bianca Knight:
One of my biggest influences and motivators in my path to success was Kobe Bryant. I always admired the kind of athlete he was and I loved watching him play with so much passion and the will to win. Furthermore, his transition from athlete to being a dad was amazing to see. He had so many projects geared towards the development of younger athletes in his sport and it was amazing to see how he was giving back to the youth.
Namita Nayyar:
Share your word on how much you love yourself and plan to celebrate Women’s day this year?
Bianca Knight:
This year for Women’s Day, I plan to love myself by having a relaxing day with my family and maybe having a nice dinner and a movie date later that evening. But the way I plan to love myself for 2020 is by fully committing to the projects I currently have in place, geared towards helping the sport of track field.
Namita Nayyar:
With exceptional hard work, you are credited with all your achievements. Do you believe that does the hand of Providence (Supreme Being) played a role in your success?
Bianca Knight:
While I may have worked extremely hard to achieve all of my accomplishments, I believe that it was all divinely done. I believe I was placed here for the purpose of showing others around me that you can achieve whatever you want to do if you stay on the path that was created for you, no matter where you are from or how you grew up. I believe this path of life that I am on has been created especially for me, so I’m going to see my purpose out to the end.
Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Bianca Knight:
Womenfitness.net is a great compilation of women with great stories that everyone needs to see and read. Women are doing great things and are creating great spaces for the younger women coming up, and that’s worthy of some praise. It’s great that WomenFitness.net are doing their due diligence by reaching out and keeping this going by sharing our stories.
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This interview is exclusively taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness