LONDON, England — Despite the absence of reigning shot put champion Christina Schwanitz and four-time champion Valerie Adams, Jamaica’s Danniel Thomas-Dodd knows the task at hand remains difficult and would be satisfied making the final, all things considered.

“Although those ladies are missing this year, the competition is still at a high level with Michelle Carter and Anita Marton (in the runnings)… both have been international medal winners. It is going to be a tough competition just the same,” noted Thomas-Dodd.

Only one person has surpassed the coveted 20-metre mark, in favourite Lijiao Gong of China with 20.11m, and only seven throwers went above the 19-metre line this year and one of them is Thomas-Dodd.

The affable but fierce competitor, who stands at 5ft 5in and weighs 196 lbs, broke Jamaica’s national shot put record twice this year, first achieving the mark in April with 18.49m, then went even better with 19.15m, while capturing the NCAA title in June.

Thomas-Dodd’s mark was the best in the history of Kent State University and the second-best throw in NCAA history. That kind of form has sent her confidence sky-high, pushing her up to sixth in the world.

And following a 10-day pre-World Championships camp in Birmingham, she is ready.

“The camp is good, accommodations is fitting for the occasion. Yes, I would like to think I’m ready for action,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

“My expectations are that, should I do what I did throughout the season, I can make the top eight. I have been watching these ladies compete this season and I would like to be amongst the top eight. Anything better than that, I will be extremely happy,” Thomas-Dodd explained.

If her world ranking is anything to go by, then Thomas-Dodd should make the final, which in itself, would be a historic moment for Jamaica.

China’s Gong is the big favourite, and having won a number of medals since 2008, the time could not be better to snatch that elusive gold. Standing in her way is American Olympic champion Michelle Carter and the rising star Raven Saunders.

Jamaica’s Thomas-Dodd might not be on the podium, but just getting to the final would make her a winner.

“I’m ready physically and as for my mental state, I have learned a lot over the years. I think that I’m in a good position mentally going into the competition,” she noted.

Thomas-Dodd, who has been married for two years, has high praises for her husband, who has been a tower of strength.

“My husband is one of my biggest motivators. It is good when you have people in your life that you can count on, and for me, that’s my husband. He’s always there for me through the good meets and the bad ones. When I was not very confident in myself he was the one who always believed I could be better than I was,” said Thomas-Dodd.

The Jamaican was fifth at the Pan American Games in 2015 and was 12th at the Beijing World Championships later that year. In 2016, she finished 14th at the Rio Olympics in Brazil, and all the signs are pointing to her best display at a major championship.