Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Perfect indoor start for Dayron Robles - IAAF Online Diaries
Dayron Robles in action in Gothenburg (Hasse Sjögren)
12 February 2008 - Perfect! That's how Cuba's Dayron Robles has described a successful start of his indoor season with the aim of winning the IAAF World Indoor 60m Hurdles title in Valencia, March 7-9.
After five wins and getting just three hundreds of a second off the World Indoor record, the young Cuban athlete is pleased to update the IAAF website readers.
“Dear Athletics friends,
“Greetings from Spain. I am back to the Cuban training camp in Guadalajara, near Madrid, after a perfect start of my indoor season. Before traveling to Europe, I knew I was in good shape and ready to assess my progress on the track.
“As in 2007, I made my season's debut in Gothenburg, in front of a very enthusiast crowd, on 29 January. I ran 7.45, faster than the 7.49 time I clocked in 2007.
“After a second win in Linz, Austria, I travelled to Germany for three competitions, including Stuttgart, a lucky venue for me as I have set my indoor and outdoor bests there.
“This time was no exception with another fine run. Things went out as expected and I managed to clock 7.36, better than my previous best of 7.38 and just 0.01 second faster than my compatriot Anier Garcia's national and area mark, set in 2000.
“Four days later, I competed for the first time in Düsseldorf and things went even better and I lowered my record to 7.33, much closer to the World record of Colin Jackson (7.30).
“I went on to another fast track, Karlsruhe, but after a false start, I had to be more cautious but still managed to win in 7.40.
“I was particularly happy for my compatriot Anay Tejeda, who finally broke the national record with 7.90 in the same meeting.
“I expected such fast times. When you are in good shape, anything can happen. I have not had much rivalry. Maybe I can run faster if I am pushed more, but not necessarily.
“This is the kind of start we wanted for the season, five competitions and then a break to finalize my preparation towards Valencia. I plan to do two more races. Stockholm is on the agenda. I love it.
“I have really enjoyed the crowd in every one of the five meetings and I have felt really encouraged every time I stepped on the track. I owe my fast times to them, too.
“In Karlsruhe, I chatted with Allen Johnson, who I consider my idol and the best sprint hurdler of all times based on his consistency for more than 10 years. He is a role model and I am fortunate to run with a living legend like him.
“The World record? It's possible, but very difficult. You have to execute a perfect race. I believe the World indoor mark is harder to beat than the outdoor record.
“My coach (Santiago Antunez) is saying that I'm rushing too much into the first three hurdles. I have to learn to concentrate more, and then I can break the record. 7.26 is possible.
“We are now on the countdown to Valencia. I was second two years ago in Moscow and the target is obviously the gold. I look forward to meeting Liu Xiang and other top hurdlers.
“Everyone will arrive fit in Valencia and will do their best for the victory. Wish me all the best and I'll get back to you in March.
Ciao (Bye)”
Dayron
After five wins and getting just three hundreds of a second off the World Indoor record, the young Cuban athlete is pleased to update the IAAF website readers.
“Dear Athletics friends,
“Greetings from Spain. I am back to the Cuban training camp in Guadalajara, near Madrid, after a perfect start of my indoor season. Before traveling to Europe, I knew I was in good shape and ready to assess my progress on the track.
“As in 2007, I made my season's debut in Gothenburg, in front of a very enthusiast crowd, on 29 January. I ran 7.45, faster than the 7.49 time I clocked in 2007.
“After a second win in Linz, Austria, I travelled to Germany for three competitions, including Stuttgart, a lucky venue for me as I have set my indoor and outdoor bests there.
“This time was no exception with another fine run. Things went out as expected and I managed to clock 7.36, better than my previous best of 7.38 and just 0.01 second faster than my compatriot Anier Garcia's national and area mark, set in 2000.
“Four days later, I competed for the first time in Düsseldorf and things went even better and I lowered my record to 7.33, much closer to the World record of Colin Jackson (7.30).
“I went on to another fast track, Karlsruhe, but after a false start, I had to be more cautious but still managed to win in 7.40.
“I was particularly happy for my compatriot Anay Tejeda, who finally broke the national record with 7.90 in the same meeting.
“I expected such fast times. When you are in good shape, anything can happen. I have not had much rivalry. Maybe I can run faster if I am pushed more, but not necessarily.
“This is the kind of start we wanted for the season, five competitions and then a break to finalize my preparation towards Valencia. I plan to do two more races. Stockholm is on the agenda. I love it.
“I have really enjoyed the crowd in every one of the five meetings and I have felt really encouraged every time I stepped on the track. I owe my fast times to them, too.
“In Karlsruhe, I chatted with Allen Johnson, who I consider my idol and the best sprint hurdler of all times based on his consistency for more than 10 years. He is a role model and I am fortunate to run with a living legend like him.
“The World record? It's possible, but very difficult. You have to execute a perfect race. I believe the World indoor mark is harder to beat than the outdoor record.
“My coach (Santiago Antunez) is saying that I'm rushing too much into the first three hurdles. I have to learn to concentrate more, and then I can break the record. 7.26 is possible.
“We are now on the countdown to Valencia. I was second two years ago in Moscow and the target is obviously the gold. I look forward to meeting Liu Xiang and other top hurdlers.
“Everyone will arrive fit in Valencia and will do their best for the victory. Wish me all the best and I'll get back to you in March.
Ciao (Bye)”
Dayron