MKRob Sports

Facts About Sanya:

Height: 5’8″
Born: Kingston, Jamaica
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Current Residence: Austin, Texas/New York, New York
Sponsorship: Nike

Awards and Medals:

World Champion, 400m (’09)
American Record Holder~400m dash 48.70 sec
Most sub-50 400meter races in history
2-time Olympic 4x400m gold medalist and 400m bronze medalist (’04, ’08)
5-time USA Outdoor Champion (’03, ’05, ’06, ’08, ’09)
2-time World Outdoor 4x400m gold medalist (’05, ’07)
IAAF World Athlete of the Year (’06, ’09)
Jesse Owens Award winner (2006)
World Outdoor silver medalist (2005)
Visa Champion and Humanitarian Athlete of the Year (2005)

MKRob: When did you start running track competitively?

Sanya: I started running competitively at 7 years old. I won my first race at our inter-prep championships in Jamaica and won a trophy! I was so happy.

MKRob: What other sports do you enjoy or like to watch?

Sanya: I love Football now! I wasn’t a big fan prior to dating Ross but now I really enjoy watching football on every level.

MKRob: If any, who are or were your favorite players or teams past and present?

Sanya: I admired Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Merlene Ottey growing up. I loved the Chicago Bulls as a youngster. I now love the Giants and the Longhorns.

MKRob: You are a homegirl from Broward County, you St. Thomas and myself Plantation, how often do you go back to Fort Lauderdale and visit St. Thomas?

Sanya: Not as often as I’d like to! I really want to make an effort to go back more often.

MKRob: What are three songs in your iPod/mp3 player that are from different genres of music?

Sanya: REGGAE: Beenie Man -Girls Dem Sugar

GOSPEL: Yolanda Adams- Never To Give Up

HIP HOP: Drake- Successful

MKRob: When I played football, I listened to different types of music before games, what kind of music do you listen to before your races?

Sanya: It depends on my mood, if I’m feeling inspired I listen to gospel, if I’m feeling excited and hype, I listen to hip hop, if I’m feeling pensive I listen to R&B, and if I’m feeling rootsy, I listen to reggae.

MKRob: What is your favorite kind of music?

Sanya: Gospel and Hip Hop/R&B

MKRob: Who or what is your inspiration?

Sanya: I’m inspired by my faith, I always want to give my best because I feel as though God gave me an amazing gift and I want to make him proud.

MKRob: I know you just married fellow Texas Longhorn and now NY Giants cornerback Aaron Ross, how’s the married life so far?

Sanya: I’m loving it! After dating Ross for six years getting married is like starting to date all over again. It’s refreshing and fun!

MKRob: What is it like to be involved with someone like yourself, a professional athlete?

Sanya: It’s the best! I feel like we’re always so in tune with each other and our desires to be the best on the track or football field! He inspires me to be better!

MKRob: How was your experience on the show Platinum Weddings?

Sanya: PW was a lot of fun. They really captured a lot of great moments with Ross and I and our families. I hope people will enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed taping it!

MKRob: What is your workout routine?

Sanya: I train on the track 5 days a week. I do Pilates twice a week and I lift weights 3-4 times a week.

MKRob: What do you eat to stay in top running condition?

Sanya: I try to eat only grilled meats. Very little fried foods, lots of fruits and vegetables!

MKRob: What’s the difference between the high school, college and professional levels of running track?

Sanya: The difference is preparing yourself mentally and physically for a very intense season. In high school and college you run countless races without most of the early meets having much consequence, on the professional level every race counts! You have to be ready every time which is a difficult task.

MKRob: Out of all the awards you’ve won, which is most special?

Sanya: That’s a difficult question! Being the Jesse Owens winner twice and the IAAF athlete of the year twice are both extremely special but being named athlete of the decade has been by far my biggest honor thus far!

MKRob: I’ve always wanted ask this to a professional track runner, why do they always interview you guys right after the race  and you’re out of breath?

Sanya: This is a funny question! I always wished they’d give us a little more time to catch our breath as well but I guess in the interest of time it’s better to catch us right after. Also with drug testing obligations and cooling down they may not be able to catch up with us again! Funny question…but absolutely true!!!

MKRob: What do like to do away from the track?

Sanya: Watch movies with my husband, shop with my mom and sister, and talk track and study film with my dad.

MKRob: What are your goals for the 2012 Olympics?

Sanya: I’d love to win my first individual gold medal!!!

MKRob: What advice do you have for girls that have dreams of running track professionally?

Sanya: Surround themselves with people that really want the best for them. Put in the hard work when no one else is watching and never give up!

MKRob: What are your plans after your track and field career is over?

Sanya: I’d love to get into broadcasting, maybe fashion, start my own clothing line, do a little acting… I have a lot of interest beyond track and field!

MKRob: What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say:

Sanya: Speed: Me

Sexy: Aaron Ross

Funny: Katt Williams

Powerful: Barack Obama

Sanya’s Favorites

Book: The Secret

Movie: A Time To Kill

Food: Brown Stew Chicken

Color: Purple

Sanya’s Website

Sanya On Twitter

Sanya On YouTube

Sanya On Myspace