I'm still among the best - Scott

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Jamaican shot put standout, Dorian Scott, has been seriously hampered because of injury and has not done a lot since his 21.45m hurl in 2008, however, the 28-year-old still rates himself among the best in the world and is already eyeing podium spots this year.

The powerfully built Scott is at the right end of a lengthy layoff, which was caused as a result of a long-standing tendonitis problem to his left Achilles, which was torn last year in Sweden, resulting in him missing the Berlin World Championships, and most of last season.

However, the national record holder has already featured at three meets this year and is getting stronger by the week. With the Central America and Caribbean Games (CAC Games) and the Commonwealth Games both scheduled for this year, the former Florida State University (FSU) athlete is hoping to claim medals and records at both meets after already copping CAC gold medals in 2005 and 2006, and Commonwealth silver also in 2006.

Trying not to rush

"I'm just about coming back from injury, after the surgery, and I'm just now working myself back to fitness ... at full fitness I'm just as good as anybody in the world, to be honest with you. I opened up this year with 20.30m even though I've not been at full fitness so I still rate myself among the very best in the world," said Scott.

"I would say that I'm at 80 per cent to 85 per cent, where fitness is concerned, and because the Commonwealth Games is this year and its all the way in October I'm trying to not rush things," Scott added. "I haven't thrown a lot so, technically, I'm a little off, I'm not as sharp as I usually am at this time of the year, but I'll be ready for the Commonwealth Games and CAC."

Scott, who still trains out of the FSU campus, made it clear that he will be gunning for top honours at the two meets and has set his sight on clearing both meet records.

"I'm looking at gold; by then I shouldn't have any excuse about being rusty," said a confident Scott. "The CAC Games is in late July and then the Commonwealth is in October so, by then, I should be at full strength."

"I'm looking to break the record at the CAC games and come back with the gold. It's the same for the Commonwealth, I have been eyeing the record of 20.91m and I hope to be throwing around 21m and come home with that record as well," Scott pointed out.

The bulky shot putter also had a few words for his supporters who have stuck by his side throughout the last few years.

"Keep looking out for me, I haven't fallen off too far and I still think, even at this point, I'm still top ten in the world and will get back to my best soon," Scott closed.

'I'm looking to break the record at the CAC games ... . It's the same for the Commonwealth, I have been eyeing the record of 20.91m.'