European silver medallist Reece Prescod has vowed to run quicker than ever in 2019 as he aims to medal at next year's World Athletics Championships in Doha.
The 22-year-old ran the second fastest 100m in British history with a wind-assisted 9.88s triumph at a Diamond League meeting Oregon in May before clinching a silver medal behind teammate Zharnel Hughes in the Europeans in Berlin three months later.
Prescod ran under 10 seconds three times in 2018, recording a personal best of 9.94s, but has aimed to be even better next year as he targets a podium place in next November’s World Championships.
“2018 was a busy year, but in terms of competing I got my sub-10 seconds, a silver at the European Championships and a good year on the Diamond League circuit,” said Prescod.
“It was a great season and I am just trying to build on it now.
“Medals are always remembered and sub-10’s can happen whenever. I feel medals are better than times.
“In 2019 you can expect better performances in terms of the 100 metres, I need to get my PB down again.
“I might dip into the 400 metres and hopefully challenge for a medal at the World Championships is the aim.”
The World Championships will for the first time be held in the Middle East when they swing around next autumn.
It will also be the first time the event has been held in November but Prescod doesn’t believe the change in calendar will affect his performances.
“The Diamond League starts at the same period so it’s just getting ready. It’s the same system and same way of life,” he said.
“I feel like for me it’s just I will be ready at the right time, it’s just knowing when to take a break and knowing when to compete.”
Prescod has been named among the 114 British athletes on the British Athletics World Class Olympic podium squad for 2018-19 for a second year in succession.
The Londoner finds himself among gold medal winning company including the likes of quadruple Olympic champion Mo Farah and triple European champion in 2018, Dina Asher-Smith, among others.
And Prescod was delighted to be recognised on the programme once again.
He said: “I am very happy to be put back on the programme, it was big pressure going on it last year and to be put back on it again I can focus on my goals with the World Championships next year.
“I am very happy that British Athletics have seen my performances this year and put me back on, so I’m a happy boy.
“It takes the pressure off me in terms of enabling me to be a full-time athlete and covering my living costs and training.
“It just makes life easier becoming a professional athlete so that I can focus on trying to excel.”
Sportsbeat 2018