Janieve Russell eyes Commonwealth gold

Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Janieve Russell, said winning at next month's Commonwealth Games in Australia is a vital part of her plan to become a dominant force in the 400 metres hurdles.

Russell told STAR Sports that a victory will boost her confidence going into the World Championships year next season after cruising to victory in 56.43 seconds at the G.C. Foster Classics at the National Stadium on Saturday. Her teammate, Nikita Tracey, was second in a time of 58.07 seconds.

"If I win the gold medal it is going to give me a lot of confidence. I went to the 2015 World Championships and finished fifth after I won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2014," Russell said.

The 2012 World Under-20 400m hurdles champion, whose 2017 season was derailed by injury, said she is now ready to become one of the top competitors in the event.

"I am looking forward to be a top runner from 2019 and onwards," Russell said. "I had a very disappointing 2017 season because of injuries. But I am better physically as well as mentally."

She added: "I have worked on the physical as well as the mental parts of it. I am working on executing my race. As long as I can execute my race properly, I think I can be on top in the event."

Russell, who has a season best of 55.98 seconds, which she did back in February, said her purpose of running on the weekend was to get out the cobwebs after running at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham.