Andrew Murphy

Sport: Triple Jump
Club: Pacific
Date of Birth: 18 December 1969
Height: 182cm
Age: 32

Sporting bio and achievements:
As a World Junior finalist in 1988, Andrew Murphy, claimed the Australian junior record in 1989 with a leap of 17.18m.

At the 1999 World Championships Andrew produced Australia's best result in triple jump at World Championships or Olympic Games since George Avery's silver in London in 1948. Andrew placed fourth in a personal best which moved him to second on the Australian all time list behind Ken Lorraway's 17.46m. The result was also Australia's best ever in a horizontal jump, men's or women's since the World Championships began in 1983. Andrew contested the Triple Jump at the Sydney Olympics where he placed tenth in the final.

Andrew enjoyed a great 2001 summer season, clearing 17 metres in three of his four domestic competitions.

Andrew also travelled to the World Indoors where he won bronze, claiming his first medal in his 12th major championship. He returned to Australia where he won his eighth consecutive Australian triple jump title.

In May, Andrew was crowned Telstra Male Athlete of the Year, however he was severely hampered at the 2001 World Championships, battling to recover from a calf injury.
Andrew finished fourth at the Goodwill Games and at the recent 2002 XVII Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Andrew finished seventh with a jump of 16.37 metres.

Captain Capsicum fancies himself as a bit of high flier and was so excited to be interviewing Andrew Murphy.

Captain Capsicum:
Hi Andrew, I can’t believe I’m finally meeting you. When I have my cape on I can fly a little bit as well, although I hear you can jump further than 17 metres. Jumping as far as that I can imagine that competition would be pretty stiff, who has been your toughest rival?
Andrew Murphy: Jonathon Edwards - the English World Record holder

Captain Capsicum:
Jonathon must definitely be a tough rival as he recently came first at the recent Commonwealth Games. Triple jump looks like such a hard sport, can you please tell us what about your worst ever injury?
Andrew Murphy:
My lower back.

Captain Capsicum:
That must have hurt. Have you ever had a losing streak?
Andrew Murphy:
In 1998 I was injured for the whole year until October.

Captain Capsicum:
How do you overcome bad times such as losing streaks or constant injury?
Andrew Murphy:
By using mental toughness and it is also important to learn from mistakes. Another way is to work on weaknesses and train in other ways to prevent injury.

Captain Capsicum:
That’s good advice because there is always more than one way to do something. What do you think has been your biggest achievement in athletics?
Andrew Murphy:
Bronze Medal at World Indoor Championships in 2001.

Captain Capsicum:
That’s a fantastic result. You must eat fairly heathily to be such an elite athlete, can you tell us what your favourite fruit is?
Andrew Murphy:
Mango.

Captain Capsicum:
So what are your favourite vegetables?
Andrew Murphy:
Carrots.

Captain Capsicum:
Carrots are a great snack food aren’t they. We all have a weakness for less than healthy foods, what is your favourite food in general?
Andrew Murphy:
Chocolate and Sultanas.

Captain Capsicum:
The secret is not to eat them too often, isn’t that right! Andrew, If you hadn't turned out to be such a legend triple jumper, what do you think you would have chosen to do as a career?
Andrew Murphy:
Professional golfer.

Captain Capsicum:
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Andrew Murphy:
Designing houses, dinner, watching movies.

Captain Capsicum:
They sound like great fun. Who is your hero?
Andrew Murphy:
My son Connor.

Captain Capsicum:
Do you have any nicknames?
Andrew Murphy:
Murf.

Captain Capsicum:
Murf’s a pretty cool nickname, so Murf what do you think is the best thing about playing sport?
Andrew Murphy:
Travelling, fitness, meeting people, a sense of achievement and to get the best out of myself.

Captain Capsicum:
They are all great reasons to play sport. What is your favourite motto?
Andrew Murphy:
Dream it, believe it, set your goals and you can achieve it!!!!

Captain Capsicum:
That’s a great motto, I hope you don’t mind if I use that too? What was the best thing about competing in the Sydney Olympic Games?
Andrew Murphy:
Competing in front of 110, 000 people and most of them being Australian...

Captain Capsicum:
Well Andrew, thanks so much for giving us some insight into your life as an elite athlete. On behalf of the ‘F&V Gang’ I hope that your triple jump career continues in leaps and bounds and we hope to cheer you on in Athens at the Olympics in 2004.