Making of an Olympian: Dylan Schmidt - 'It's all over in a flash'

New Zealand trampolinist Dylan Schmidt with his loyal dog "Cookie". Photo / Brett Phibbs

In a five-part series, the Herald is profiling New Zealand Olympians going for gold at Rio 2016. The films feature exclusive access to top athletes and get to the heart of what makes an Olympian. They will be released every Friday throughout July. The third of the series profiles trampolinist Dylan Schmidt.

Dylan Schmidt will next month do what no other Kiwi has done before - represent New Zealand in trampoline at an Olympic Games.

It's been his goal since he was 12 when he won the under-13 world title. Schmidt also won gold at the Youth Olympic Games in 2014. But he's had his disappointments too.

Crashing is common and for almost two years Schmidt struggled to execute his moves in finals.

"I learnt a lot from that and I've taken away key learnings about the pressures I have in competitions and I've learnt to control that and to compete better."

The Herald had the opportunity to watch Schmidt train at his club in Auckland and got an insight into the "cut-throat" sport.

"It's all over in a flash. Sometimes I get off the tramp and I don't even remember what happened. That's how fast it goes."

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