News24 Feb 2008


Dayron Robles in Valencia: ‘My only target is the gold medal’

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Valencia WIC logo (© c)

Valencia, SpainJust arrived from Paris, Cuba’s Dayron Robles attended a press conference yesterday (23) at the “Palau Velodromo Lluís Puig”, venue for the 12th IAAF World Indoor Championships in Valencia, Spain (7-9 March).

The 21-year-old is the dominant world specialist in the 60m Hurdles event this indoor campaign having clocked seven of the eight fastest times this winter, topped by a 7.33 performance last 9 February in Düsseldorf which comes only 0.03 seconds shy of Britain’s Colin Jakson’s World record of 7.30, set back in 1994 when Robles was barely seven years of age.

The Cuban star first admitted that “Unfortunately I stopped the race after the second hurdle in Paris yesterday because I heard a sound and thought that was a recall for a false start. OK, that was not a nice situation but I prefer that that occurs at a meeting rather than at a major championships like Valencia.”

Asked on the reason for his visit to Valencia, Robles explained, “I wanted to know the track first-hand before the event. Obviously, after my runner-up place at the Moscow worlds two years ago my only target is the gold medal. I won’t be satisfied other than that. The title is more important than the World record which I feel capable of breaking.”

Robles also commented about China’s reigning Olympic and World 110m Hurdles champion Liu Xiang.

“I only know that he’s competing in Valencia which means more rivalry and that’s good for me, no problem. But I train everyday to become the best athlete in the world so I don’t fear anyone, including Xiang,” confirmed a confident Robles.

Author of a stunning 12.92 time at the 110m Hurdles event, the Cuban prodigy also said, “I have improved a lot over the last year, I’m a more mature athlete and that then reflects.”

Robles wore a flashy gold medal around his neck, perhaps a prelude of his rank in Valencia. He clarified that the medal “Is the image of Regla Virgin, and that (Regla) is the name of my mum. That’s the reason why I wear the medal.”

Also present at the press conference were the two leading Spanish hurdles specialists in the guise of Jackson Quiñónez and Felipe Vivancos, both accomplished indoor performers as they snatched bronze and silver at the Europeans champs held in Birmingham 2007 and Madrid 2005 respectively.

Quiñónez, who holds a PB – and national record - of 7.56 laughlingly said: “All that I need to do to run faster is to imitate Dayron.” Vivancos added: “He’s a wonderful athlete, a real cat over the hurdles.”

Julio Fontán and Emeterio Valiente for the IAAF

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