LONDON, England (CMC) — American challenger Tyson Gay says he has a point to prove when he meets sprint king Usain Bolt at this year’s World Championships in South Korea.

However, he admits his fitness will be crucial as he seeks to unseat the Jamaican who has taken a vice grip on the sport following mind-blowing records in the 100 and 200 metres at the last World and Olympic meets.

“I’ve never raced Bolt fully fit. Since 2006, I haven’t had one year where I’ve been totally fit,” Gay said ahead of today’s Great City Games in Manchester.

“It’s a faith run. I’ve been having problems. I’ve been seeing doctors because of my hip and I’m going to see some more while I’m here for a second opinion. I don’t have expectations.”

Gay has watched in despair as Bolt has taken over the sport he once dominated.

The 28-year-old zoomed to the top of the sprint world in 2007 when he claimed the sprint double at the World Championships in Osaka.

But Bolt shot to prominence at the Beijing Olympics the next year and has not relinquished his hold on the sprint mantle since.

Gay handed the Jamaican his first loss in two years in Stockholm last year, setting up a mouth-watering showdown in Daegu from August 27 to September 4.

“I don’t want to be scared. I have a point to prove to myself and to my country, too,” says Gay, the second fastest man in the world behind Bolt.

“That’s how I feel. To even make it there is great, but to come home with some hardware would be better. There’s a hole there and I have to fill it up.”