Spencer determined to triumph despite odds

DAEGU, South Korea:

World leader in the 400m hurdles, Kaliese Spencer, confirmed that she was not 100 per cent healthy, but will be approaching the semi-final and finals of the event here in Daegu at the IAAF World Championships in Athetics full of confidence.

Spencer, who won the event in the IAAF Samsung Diamond League in 2010, continues to dominate the world this year and has gone as fast as 52.79, a time she recorded early in August at the London Aviva Grand Prix.

The elegant Jamaican qualified in style from her heat yesterday, winning in a comfortable 54.93, the fourth fastest of the round.

However, as was reported on Jamaica-Gleaner.com a couple of days ago, the 25-year-old is not in the best of condition, as she continues to feel discomfort in her quad and groin areas.

Problems

Spencer says while there is an issue, she will be going out there to compete and give it her all.

"Yes, I have a bit of problems, I'm still working on it, but I am able to compete, so I'll be fine," said Spencer, who also spoke to the humid conditions in Daegu.

"I have trained in this condition in Jamaica and also in Italy where it was hot before we came here, but I have been drinking a lot of fluids too," she added after her heat.

Spencer listed her fourth-place finish at the 2009 World Championships as a significant source of inspiration.

"After 2009 I got better," Spencer said. "2010 was great for me and that fourth-place finish motivated me to go out even better, and this year I am number one in the world and hopefully it will remain that way after the World Championships," she smiled.

"My aim was to ensure that I booked a spot in the semi-finals; the plan was to run my first three hurdles and then cruise from there, but I'm not sure if I did that. But hopefully tomorrow (today), I'll be able to go out there, qualify for the final and take it from there," said Spencer.