I am stronger and more confident - Bailey-Cole

Commonwealth Games 100m champion Kemar Bailey-Cole says he is encouraged by his season-opening 10.06 seconds run at the recent GC Foster Classic, adding that he is confidently looking forward to the rest of the season.

The time was his second fastest season opener and an effort that has left him eagerly anticipating what he can accomplish this year.

"That run has given me a good indication of where I am, and the improvements that I have made heading into the season," Bailey-Cole told Star Sports. "I really focused on my strength and endurance and now I feel a lot stronger than I have felt in previous seasons."

"I ran a good 400m at the Camperdown Classics and I felt good about that. Normally, I would just jog it out but I felt really strong even at 350 metres," he added of his personal best 47.20 400m effort.

Mentally strong

Bailey-Cole, who will be competing at the June 10 JN Racers Grand Prix, says now that he is fully fit, he is approaching the season with added confidence and has his eyes set on running the 100m at the World Championships in London this summer.

"I certainly feel stronger mentally and I am more confident. I sat out 2015 because of injury and 2016 was basically the same, so the mind frame is totally different right now and I am more positive about the season," Bailey-Cole said.

"For the first time there is no little niggle or injury and I hope it stays that way. I am happy with the season opener. I am just focusing on making the World Champs team in the individual event and getting into medal contention at the World Championships," said Bailey-Cole.

The sprinter has two Olympic and one World Championships 4x100m relay gold medals. Bailey-Cole, who has a personal best of 9.92 seconds in the 100m, also finished fourth in the 100m at the 2013 World Championships.