Photography and Interview by Lauren Engel
Words by Amy Pejkovic
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The 21st century girl doesn’t pertain to any stereotype. She’s a chick of many talents, one moment she’s in Europe, the next she’s in Asia. She’s working on several artistic projects at once and killing at every single one. She’s a mix of races – picking up different cultures as she travels. She’s the mysterious girl at the party you want to know her life story who everyone has their eyes on. Here we have sat down and chatted for you.
I had the pleasure of meeting this Amy Pejkovic, an inspirational athlete who has gone through immense personal struggle and a battle with a brain tumor, to emerge on the other side stronger than ever. With Lauren Engel behind the lens, Angela Liang producing and styling, Emma Luciano doing makeup, shot at Darling Point Pad, Modern Woman brings you this Olympic hopeful
“Ever since I started high jumping at the age of 10 – it is an event I just fell in love with! My first ever state high jump competition I came equal first and third on count back with a state record. So I decided to stick with it – within a year I had won a junior national title and continued winning state and national titles throughout the years.
In 2009, at the age of 16, I was chosen to represent Australia at the World Youth Championships in Italy, where I placed 2nd with a jump of 1.85m.
A year later, I was lucky enough to represent Australia at the World Junior Championships in Monkton, Canada. I finished 7th, clearing the bar at 1.80.
I’m also a part-time model, represented by Chic management in Sydney. I’ve appeared on the cover of Russh and women’s fitness and on the Lorna Jane magazine. I modelled both locally and abroad. A few career highlights would have to be shooting the Paspaley pearls campaign, numerous Lorna Jane campaigns, the first face of the new country road active wear line. I have also done runway work for Australian Fashion Week, brands like Bec & Bridge, Alice McCall, We are handsome, Ellery, Alex Perry and I have walked for Chanel in 3 of the Australian shows.
In early 2012, I was hoping to qualify for the London Olympics, the World Junior Championships (in Spain), then depart to New York for a few months to pursue a career on the runway.
All of that came to a sudden, abrupt halt when I was diagnosed with a tumor located on my brain stem. It was something that changed my life forever, an event I never imagined happening, nor contemplated would ever affect me.
After a grueling bout of surgery, the tumor was successfully removed and I’m now dreaming to make the Australian team for the upcoming World Championships in Beijing and the 2016 Rio Olympics, and once again peruse a modelling career in Australia and abroad.”
Words by Amy Pejkovic
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