San Juan (Puerto Rico), June 21 (IANS) Grenadian sprinter Kirani James, gold medal winner in the 400 metres at the 2012 London Olympics, is on target to regain his world title in the August 22-30 World Championships in Beijing, his coach has said.
James won the world title in 2011, but lost it two years later to American rival LaShawn Merritt at the 2013 championships in Moscow, reports Efe.
“I think he is a bit hungry to try to regain his world title, and rightfully so, as well as LaShawn is trying to defend it. So it’s set up for something great,” coach Harvey Glance said on Saturday.
“Our goal this year has been, and had been for the last several years, is to be consistent week in and week out. We feel though that he could be more of a threat to his competitors if he could run fast week in and week out. That puts a lot of pressure on anyone who tries to compete against him and I think he had done that,” Glance said.
James is unbeaten in five races this year, including three head-to-head contests with Merritt.
“But for sure he (James) is in phenomenal shape. I feel as we get more and more in tune in his training as well as his career, he will be consistently running 43 seconds,” Glance said.