Holly Bleasdale believes her experience of recovering from "heart attack" moments will boost her medal hopes at London 2012.
The 20-year-old pole vaulter broke her own British outdoor record with a clearance of 4.71metres at the Aviva Trials in Birmingham on Sunday to confirm her place on the Olympic team - but not before having to make two lower heights with her final attempts.
Bleasdale, who has been working on a new technique, entered the event without the current 'A' qualifying standard of 4.50m this season despite managing a remarkable indoor vault of 4.87m during the winter and the pressure was on to silence her doubters.
The Blackburn Harrier found herself facing a shock elimination from the competition after failing twice at 4.40m and then again at 4.50m but in the end she reminded everyone just why she's a genuine medal contender this summer.
Bleasdale said: "There has been a lot of doubt over my form with the past couple of competitions but I've shown everyone that I can come out and deliver.
"The first couple of heights were just blowing out cobwebs and kind of gave myself a bit of a heart attack. But when I got into the swing of it, my technique looked better and I feel so much more confident now.
"It was in the back of my mind but I knew I'd jumped over 4.50m over 20 times so for me it wasn't a worry - I knew I was capable of it. I just showed to myself and everyone that I can.
"I shocked myself a bit but I managed to stay composed and focused and managed to get through, which is another thing I've learned. I know I can go to another competition, do the same thing, and still jump high.
"This was the first time I've cleared two heights in a row on the last attempt - I came through it and I know I can do it again. It's something I've learned from and will take the positives out of it."
Bleasdale accepts she will probably have to break the British record once again to finish on the Olympic podium but is confident the home crowd will help her achieve this.
She said: "If I jump a PB I think I can get a medal - I just need to be more consistent and more confident.
"When it comes to the Olympics with a home crowd which will be amazing I'll obviously be on form."
