LONDON, England — Despite being tipped for a medal in the discus, Jamaica’s Fedrick Dacres says he is feeling no pressure, especially on the back of an outstanding season that propelled him to the forefront heading into the London World Championships.

The 23-year-old Dacres is on the verge of history as he looks set to become Jamaica’s first World Championships discus medallist in a country dominated by sprinters.

“Well there is pressure, but I won’t let it get to me. Just execute and we should be good,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“I won’t say (what shade), but a medal would do for me,” said a conservative Dacres.

Dacres has had a real good year where he broke the national record twice this season with throws of 68.67m and 68.88m.

It is also a breakout year on the international circuit where he actually won the Stockholm Diamond League on June 18 with a throw of 68.36m, which was a big confidence booster.

Dacres said the pre-championships camp in Birmingham has aided his preparation going into competition.

“The camp has been good so far, and yeah, definitely ready. Physically, I’m getting there; mentally, I’m ready,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Following his early exit from the discus event at the Rio Olympics last year, the former World Junior and Youth champion says he had put that experience behind him.

“I’ve proven my worth as a thrower already, but I wouldn’t mind redemption. But that’s not on my mind at this point, just execution of my technique and I’m good,” he added.

The former Calabar High School star has been mixing it up with the best in the business for most of the year and sat atop the IAAF world rankings for a spell. Currently he has the second and third best throws of 68.88m and 68.67m so far this year.

Daniel Stahl of Sweden is the world leader with a magnificent 71.29m done on June 29 and will start favourite for gold.

Dacres will also have to deal with the two most recent Olympic champions in German brothers Robert and Christoph Harting, along with Poland’s world champion Piotr Malachowski. As a morale booster, Dacres has beaten them all in competition.

Robert Harting and Malachowski have won the last four world discus throw titles, but they will be under pressure to fend off the rising stars of 24-year-old Stahl and the Jamaican Dacres.

Stahl is deservedly the world leader having won 12 of 16 competitions this season, but Dacres, who has grown physically, should fancy his chance of striking gold.