Spencer happy with number one status

By SANJAY MYERS Observer staff reporter

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Jamaica's Kaliese Spencer, who returned home last Friday after securing the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) 2010 Diamond League Trophy in the 400-metre hurdles is elated at being the top athlete in her discipline, especially after she had only targeted a top-three position.

Spencer won four races along with two second-placed finishes to end the Diamond Series with 24 points, albeit with the World and Olympic Champion and MVP Track & Field Club mate Melaine Walker and American Lashinda Demus out for most of the season due to fitness concerns.

Her closest rival in the event proved to be Zuzana Hejnova of the Czech Republic with eight points, while Demus remains the fastest this year with 52.82s, which she ran in Rome, Italy on June 10.

After arriving at the Norman Manley International Airport, the 23-year-old told reporters that she had exceeded her pre-season expectations.

"It's a good feeling to have won (the Diamond League Trophy). I've been training hard and last year I came fourth at the 2009 World Championships, so this year I was looking forward to end in the top three and (instead) I'm number one, so I'm really happy," she said.

The Westmoreland-born hurdler also managed to bring down her personal best to 53.33sec in her last race of the series in Zurich, Switzerland on August 19. She insists that with some improvement in her technique she will be able to run below 53 seconds.

"I've been trying my best and I've been (going) to the gym though that's something I hated doing. Technically, I'm also trying to get (to execute) my hurdling properly and once I get that (right) I know everything will be okay.

"I want to go after 52 (seconds) but though the record will be great I have to get my technique going first," said the 2006 World Junior Champion.

Russia's Yuliya Pechenkina has held the 400m hurdles record of 52.34sec since 2003, while Walker remains the second fastest in the event with her stunning 52.42s at last year's World Championships in Berlin.

Spencer said training with Walker has helped to improve her execution and added that the 2011 Championships in Daegu, South Korea, was the chance to prove her quality at the highest level.

"We (myself and Melaine) train together and we motivate each other, so therefore it helps me to do very well. At the World Championships I want to do my best and hopefully I'll be getting a medal. I should be in the best shape possible for next season because it's a championship year," she said.

When asked what went wrong on August 29 at the IAAF World Challenge meet in Rieti, Italy, where she crossed the finish line in last place, a smiling Spencer said she faltered over the final hurdle.

"In Italy I fell at the last hurdle so I just walked across the line. My trailing leg is a problem... I take long to get over the hurdles and I'm actually spending too much time in the air," she said.

That race was won by United States' Sheena Tosta in 54.71s, while Jamaican Nickiesha Wilson (55.07s) finished third.

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Spencer happy with number one status