Samuels takes a fresh approach for another shot at the podium Feeling good: Dani Samuels will compete on Saturday in the Sydney Track Classic. Dani Samuels baulked when the question was posed whether, at 21, she became the world discus champion too early in life. Samuels, from Sydney's western suburbs, was an infant in an ancient sport when she threw 65.44 metres at the 2009 world championships in Berlin. With her success came many accolades and, of course, immense pressure. As she prepared for Saturday's Sydney Track Classic at Olympic Park almost four years after being proclaimed queen of Australian athletics, Samuels wrestled with the notion that perhaps success came before she was properly prepared for it. "I would never say it came too early, but things definitely changed in 2010," she said. I was the defending world champion, then there was the Commonwealth Games [she withdrew because of the threat of illness in India] and all that happened there. Mentally, going into 2011, I was not in a very good way and it affected me. I was extremely disappointed with my Daegu [world championship] performance but it was actually a relief when it finished ... I'd say the relief and disappointment were equal feelings, but I just let it go. She has not, however, let go of the belief she'll return to the world championships winner's dais or fulfil her childhood dream of an Olympic triumph. But when asked to reflect upon her London Games campaign she emphasised the word "frustrating." "I guess I learned, again, about nerves and pressure and dealing with a big event," she said. I was able to pull one out in the first three [throws] in the qualifying rounds, but having to back up 24 hours later was hard because the qualifying was mentally draining. You only get three attempts to do it in the final and, if you don't, you walk off. It was disappointing but it gives you great motivation for other events. I was in personal best form in London but couldn't produce one in the three throws. It was frustrating not to reach my potential. Samuels returned to training just weeks after the Olympic closing ceremony and tinkered with her technique. She played basketball to help her explosiveness and speed and worked to remedy a problem with her right leg. "The year after an Olympics is good to try new things like different training drills," she said. I feel good, feel more like myself than I have in the last couple of years. Mentally it's been a bit of a roller-coaster ride these last three years and I'm just starting afresh. Samuels has entered the shot put in Saturday's meet to compete against New Zealand's Olympic champion Valerie Adams. "Thought I'd try the Olympic champion out for size," she said. Valerie is awesome and it'll be great competing against her.