media_artricles :: 2015

Walcott goes for ‘Worlds’ redemption

AFTER FAILING to finish in the final top 10 at the 14th edition of the IAAF World Championships in Russia two years ago, Olympic men’s javelin champion Keshorn Walcott is intent on restoring his international competitive presence when the 15th version of the decorated track and field event runs off in Beijing, China, from August 22-30.

And even though the 22-year old recently reset his national record at back-to-back Diamond League events in Rome, Italy (86.20 metres) and Zurich, Switzerland (86.43m) earlier this month, Walcott is determined to better his performance this time around, after a shaky showing at the Worlds in 2013. Presently in a pre-Olympic year, the Toco-bred athlete dismissed early preparations for the 2016 Summer Games just yet, and has decided to direct all focus on the Beijing Champs in August.

“I currently feel no pressure for the Olympics because my goals haven’t been set for Brazil as yet,” said Walcott. “This is because I really want to focus on the World Championships. I had a disappointing performance last time around and I really want to redeem myself. The World Championships is on my mind and I really want to put forward my best. Once I do well this year there (China), its going to be a confidence boost for me going into the Olympic year.”

The reigning national champion admitted that prior to his recent distances, he struggled a bit in other competitions worldwide. Pleased with his improvements under ace throw coach Ismael Lopez Mastrapa, Walcott also revealed that his hectic season ahead will be focused mainly on maintaining his form throughout and until Rio de Janeiro.

Since his historic golden throw at the London Games, the 2012 World Junior Championships winner has been increasingly competing on the world stage among the globe’s best athletes. He has also spent a large amount of travelling with these world renowned field athletes and has been constantly amplifying his knowledge of the sport.

“I learn more by talking to them,” he said. “We travel a lot together so we share a lot of information amongst each about training and things like that. “Everybody has their individual strengths and specific techniques. But there are some similarities in the javelin throw that we all need to know, so by watching, and talking with each other, we all help each other out.”

Walcott is presently nursing a minor ankle injury but is confident that he will fully recover for the National Senior Track and Field Championships, which begins today at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

His next major international event will be the Diamond League meet in Lausanne, Switzerland on July 9.

“I know I’m still young and still learning the sport. Knowing that a lot of these guys have been involved in the sport approximately five to 10 years more than me, it’s great to know that I’m able to be up there with them. I still have a lot more to go and more improvements still to make.

Being able to compete with these guys now, its still a huge learning process for me getting used to top flight competition. When you see them at the Olympics or World Championships, it’s not really going to be any new faces so there’s no intimidation or fear by me,” he ended.

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