PLYMOUTH hurdler David King hopes he can push his World Indoor Championship claims this weekend when he competes at the Glasgow International Grand Prix.
King has been in impressive form this year, achieving personal bests in his opening two competitions of 2016.
He clocked 7.68 seconds to win the 60m hurdles at the Welsh Senior Championships in Cardiff last month, before lower that time even further last weekend at a European meet in Ghent.
King ran 7.66 seconds in the Belgium city, which was just one hundredth of a second of Great Britain’s World Indoor Championship qualifying mark.
“I had a really good run, so was not too disappointed because I know there is more to come,” said King. “It’s all going in the right direction, which is the pleasing thing.”
Great Britain can only take two athletes to Portland, USA, for the World Championships. To qualifying athletes have to have run 7.65 seconds or under and finish in the top two at this month’s British Championships.
Andy Pozzi (7.61) and Lawrence Clarke (7.65) have already achieved the qualifying time, while 21-year-old King (7.66) and David Omoregie (7.68) are just outside the mark.
King could really put a marker down this weekend as he will be up against Clarke in Glasgow, as well as world number one Dimitri Bascou of France.
“Lawrence is doing Glasgow, so it will be a bit of a showdown between him and me,” said King, currently ranked 17th in the world rankings.
The City of Plymouth AC athlete, who finished fourth at last year’s European Under-23 Championships, would love to secure the magical 7.65 mark this weekend to take the pressure off ahead of the following week’s British Championships.
“I think this is the best preparation I’ve had going into a race, so I see no reason why not,” said King.
“It’s a very good line-up this weekend. I’m really looking forward to it.”