Reese Hoffa conference call excerpts 22. January 08

The reigning world champion outdoors and indoors in the shot put, Reese Hoffa spoke on Monday with the New York Track Writers and media from around the country via conference call.
The world's #1 ranked shot putter, Hoffa competes this evening at USA vs. The World at Run for the Dream in Fresno, Calif; throws Saturday, January 26 at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games; Friday, February 1 at the 101st Millrose Games; and Friday, February 15 at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas. All four are Visa Championship Series events. The Visa Championship Series concludes with the AT&T USA Indoor Championships February 23-34 in Boston.

For a full bio of Hoffa, visit the Athlete Bios section of www.usatf.org. For more information on the Visa Championship Series, visit www.visachampionshipseries.com

Below are excerpts from Monday's conversation.

Q: How do you feel as your 2008 season is about to begin - it's a very busy indoor season?

A: I'm excited. I think last year's preparation really got me prepared for a season like this. I did a lot of meets back to back to back. To and from Europe, and doing meets in the US. I was able to throw over 69 feet at all those meets [outdoors in 2007] and hopefully indoors will go as well. I definitely want to defend my world indoor championship in Valencia, Spain.

Q: What are you looking for in terms of distance this year?

A: I think pretty much the same as last year. Instead of one throw over 73 [feet], if Icould have two, maybe three throws over 73 feet, that would be great. But the goal is to be over 70 feet every time I step into the ring. If I am able to do that, I should make the World Indoor Team and make the Olympic Team and be a contender for the gold medal.

Q: You talk about making the team a bit more intensely than World Indoors or the Olympics - are the US championships a harder meet?

A: It is so hard to make the team in the U.S. just because of the level of competition. Once I make the team, once I get to the [world or Olympic] championship, I can actually relax and do what I normally do.

Q: Is there anything new in your life this year?

A: This year I've been doing my press stuff. I've been doing things with NBC, and I've been doing a project with Johnson & Johnson and NBC called the Family Room. It's going to be on Ivillage.. It's a little safer than skateboarding. It's been fun and it's been very time consuming. I just enjoy throwing more than anything else. These other things have been a little distracting but overall it will be a positive experience. I think one of the reasons I was picked for this was, going through being adopted and finding my mom was a very different story. T hey want people to realize we are human beings and we have stories to tell.

Q: How many times have you competed at Millrose?

A: I think this will be five or so. I actually competed when the shot put was at Manhattan College. I've won three times, hopefully I can make it four this year.

Q: The last two years at Millrose have been really intense competition, you winning with a meet record in 2006 and Christian Cantwell breaking that record last year. What's on tap for this year?

A: Hopefully much the same. I'm in great shape this year. It's not like the record he set last year is not attainable by me. Hopefully the competition will be just as strong as it's always been and we'll get another great performance out of me.

Q: Do you think you can get the world record one day?

A: I do. I think I'd be crazy if I didn't. I think everybody dreams of having some kind of world record attached to their names. I think the more attainable record would be the world indoor record. I think I only have a 2-3 window where it's a possibility and my body starts to wear out, just from the wear and tear of throwing. I think world indoor is possible; the world outdoor record I think is a stretch for me, but it's attainable.

Q: What moment of 2007 stands out for you?

A: Other than winning the world championship, I would say winning my first US national outdoor title. I finished second a bunch of times. I think the US national championships is one of the hardest events to win because of the level of competition is so high. I know the conditions were a little wet and not everyone was competing as well as they possibly could, but to go out there and win and have that attached to my name, that's exciting.

Q: Anything new this year?

A: Kuji Murofushi [2004 Olympic gold medalist in the hammer throw from Japan] is out here in Athens working with Don [Babbitt, Hoffa's coach]. He's adding another element to my training here in Georgia. It's someone else to hang out with and talk to. He's a great resource. He's done it all, and in Japan he's almost bigger than life. It's interesting to see how he handles that and how he handles the press.

Q: How did Koji coming to Georgia come about?

A: As throwers, we see each other on the circuit a lot. I got to be friends with him in Helsinki at a meet in 2000. We did a clinic together in 2005. I talked to him about what we do at the University of Georgia and philosophies. He was always intrigued. He said 'hey I want to come out there and meet Don.' I guess Don blew him away with whatever he told him in terms of training. He came out here for two weeks in October and he said 'I want to come out and do some more training,' and now he's here.

Q: Do you train at the same time?

A: I'll go throw and Koji will come to all my practices, just to watch me throw. He's very much a student of all the throws. We had a throws clinic at the beginning of January, and he was there taking notes on the shot put. He just wants to learn as much as he possibly can about all the throws and how they work.

Q: The shot has been highlighted the last few years, especially indoors. Are you going to be the #1 event again this indoor season?

A: I hope so. This is an Olympic year, and we've got the 2005 and 2007 world champions (Adam Nelson and Hoffa), 2004 and 2006 world indoor champions (Christian Cantwell and Hoffa). We are very good at showing what we can do. It's been a lot of years that the Americans have been #1 in the world. You look at the Millrose Games, Reebok Boston Indoor Games, we have done nothing but thrown exceptional distances. We just have a bunch of superstars going out there, kicking butt.

Q: Is the close competition responsible for the Americans' #1 status in the event?

A: That is definitely true. If you can think of a system when you put together large groups of very competitive athletes, you're going to get incredible results. Not just us, but the people below us. That's where I was when I first became a professional thrower. I was looking up at John Godina, Adam Nelson, Andy Bloom. Now there are people saying I want to be like Reese Hoffa and Adam Nelson.

Q: How do you like being center stage at Madison Square Garden?

A: It's pretty incredible. It's phenomenal. I absolutely enjoy it. I think we have a great relationships with fans. [Event organizers] They highlight us, they play some incredible music to pump us up. I couldn't ask for a better competitive environment.

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