Nickeisha Wilson ... This year I am much stronger and mentally I am prepared. - Photo by Anthony Foster
FOLLOWING ON last year's fourth-place finish at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan, hurdler Nickeisha Wilson said she is on target for the Olympic title in Beijing, China.
Shortly after her surprised fourth-place finish in the 400m hurdles in Osaka, Wilson said she would target the 2012 Olympics in London, but in an interview with The Gleaner last Friday at the 114th Penn Relays in Philadelphia, she said that had changed.
"It has changed a little bit; I believe I can win the Olympic gold this year, that's my goal," she said.
"It (the season) is going great so far, better than I expected. I am really happy with what I have been doing so far and I think I am going to do well this year," said Wilson, who ran a personal best 12.85 seconds over the 100m hurdles at the Texas Relays three weekends ago.
Setting high bars
Though she had said, "my aim is to go 53 (400m hurdles) low and 12.6 (100m hurdles)", she added that she would do whatever it takes to win in Beijing.
"If I have to run a 52, I am going to run it this year," explained the former Alpha athlete.
On Friday, Wilson ran 13.01 to win the College women's 100m hurdles at the Penn Relays.
Her season's best for the 400m hurdles is 55.83, but she is confident about her Olympic chances.
"I think I am well on target and based on how I am running so far, calculating everything, I believe I can do that (win Olympic gold) ... I came fourth last year (World Champs) and I didn't even expect to reach the final," Wilson said.
Mental preparation
"This year I am much stronger and mentally I am prepared, so it will be done."
Wilson, 21, disclosed that she will also run the 100m hurdles at the National Championships, but said she had no intention of doing so in Beijing.
"I will run the 100m hurdles at the National Championships because it also prepares me for that 400m hurdles," she said.
"I believe I can do well at the Olympics in that race (100m) but I would prefer to run the 400m hurdles because I want to win ... I don't want any distractions."
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