In January 2009, 18-year-old Darya Klishina, the reigning world youth long jump champion, was at the CSKA Indoor Arena in Moscow, absorbingevery word being spoken by long jump world record-holder Mike Powell at a master class.

For years later, at the same venue, Klishina was helping another long jump world record-holder, Galina Chistyakova, to host a similar master class for the next generation of athletics stars.

During that time, Klishina evolved from a prodigious youth to a powerhouse, one of the most consistent jumpers in the world. She has jumped at least 6.90m every year since 2010 and was ranked in the top 10 in the world every season, except for 2012.

She has a 7.05m personal best and has won gold medals at the World Youth Championships, European Junior Championships, European Under-23 Championships and two at the European Indoor Champions. She is yet to triumph at the senior level on the global stage.

Beijing could be the place where she finally fixes that.

Klishina doesn't like making predictions for upcoming championships, but she is certain that serious changes made coming into this season has set her up for big things.

Coming into the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, Klishina was second on the world list with 7.05m, but a foot injury sustained in the final shattered her dreams. She jumped through pain and tears to finish seventh with 6.50m. For the first time in her career, Klishina had to undergo surgery.

Rehab

Her rehab went well and she didn't even miss the following indoor season, but her next two seasons did not go to plan. In one of the most competitive events in Russia, Klishina couldn't make the Olympic team in 2012. In 2013, she missed out on the home World Championships podium, placing seventh in Moscow.

Currently standing at fifth on this year's world list with her 6.95m winning jump from the European Team Championships on home soil, Klishina is ready to give it her best in Beijing.