Rutherford's eyeing gold at World Indoors
Chris Clarke also set for Qatar adventure
Greg Rutherford believes he is one of the world's premier long jumpers – and the Milton Keynes ace is out to prove it at this weekend's IAAF World Indoor Championships.
The 23-year-old heads to Doha as part of a 38-strong Aviva Great Britan and Northern Ireland squad after booking his place on the plane with his win at the Aviva World Trials and National Championships in Sheffield.
Last season represented a return to form for Rutherford as he put injury troubles behind him by setting a new British record of 8.30m on the way to a fifth place finish at the outdoor World Championships in Berlin.
And with a hectic athletics calendar also about to throw up the European Championships and Commonwealth Games, Rutherford has vowed to start this year as he means to go on with a medal in Qatar.
He said: "I was really pleased with how 2009 went for me and when I look back on the World Championships I felt it was a real step forward for me.
"I am feeling really confident about the World Indoors in Doha and about the indoor season in general. I feel like I am capable of going to Doha and getting a medal now because of what happened in Berlin.
"Finishing fifth there has really made me think of myself as one of the best in the world outdoors so I feel confident that I can turn that into indoor form."
It's been all change for Rutherford during the winter, with the European Championships silver medal winner changing training camps to now work with Dan Pfaff at Lee Valley. But far from hiding behind that disruption, the Milton Keynes AC star believes a change should prove to be as good as a rest in the Middle East this weekend.
"I'm feeling good about everything at the minute and I don't think I've ever felt as positive about the shape that I am in," added Rutherford. "I am still a young guy but I felt like it was the right time to make the move and I have no regrets about it at all."
Rutherford will be joined in Qatar by fellow city athlete Chris Clarke. The 20-year-old has only competed once this year, winning the B race at the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham on February 20.
But after an impressive 2009 - Clarke was crowned 400m European Junior champion in Serbia and will be part of the 4x400m relay squad in Doha.
>> Aviva has been proud to have helped and supported the Aviva GB & NI junior, senior and disability teams as they prepare for all major events and championships since 1999.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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