Phillips sets sights on Daegu final

Raymond Graham, Sunday Gleaner Writer

MIRAMAR, Florida: WITH the female sprint hurdlers in their worst form in several years, it is the men who are expected to steal the spotlight at this year's IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea.

Jamaica could have three finalists in the men's 110 metres hurdles and one who is definitely determined to be there is third-place finisher at the National Senior Championships in June, Richard Phillips.

Phillips, who represented the country in Berlin two years ago, is in good shape at the moment and is working out at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida, under the watchful eyes of Matthew Love and Gillian Russell, two athletes who represented Jamaica in the sprint hurdles at the senior level.

working on speed

"For the first time in a long time, I am very healthy and I am working on some speed stuff to maintain my momentum from the National Championships," Phillips said at his training centre yesterday.

Despite not being on the European circuit like several of the other top hurdlers, Phillips is not concerned.

"I have competed in some low-keyed meets in Florida and Atlanta, and I am very pleased with what I have been achieving," he said.

Phillips, who has a season-best of 13.40 seconds over the high hurdles, added that he has learnt a lot from both Love and Russell.

"I have gained a lot working out with both Russell and Love and they have taught me a lot ... and I am very confident that their coaching will make a big difference with my performance in Daegu," he said. " Running and training in Florida is a strategic move for me and I will be ready at the right time; and I am very confident that, come the World Championships, I will be in the finals and, once I am in the finals, anything can happen."