Blake expected to lower 9.85 SB

Gregory Little, coach of the former 100m World champion Yohan Blake, says he is expecting his charge to run a much faster time at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, next week, as he aims to secure a medal in the event.

Blake, the second fastest man in history, with 9.69 seconds, ran a season's best (SB) time of 9.85 to win the 100m at the JAAA National Senior Championships last month. It marked his fastest clocking since 2012 and makes him the joint third fastest man in the world this year, with Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala, behind Americans Fred Kerley (9.76), and Trayvon Bromell (9.81).

Little, head coach of Titans Track Club, says Blake has been working hard on his technique this season.

"Blake is well focused, serious and getting the work done every day, and ready to go," Little said. "He doesn't want to talk much this year. You realise that he is staying far from the interviews? He is just in a different mood now and just trying to get the job done.

"I am never one to put a time on athletes, but I just know that Yohan should do much better than what he did at the Trials, so I expect better times in Oregon."

Little says Blake's progress was hampered last season due to hernia surgery, but he has now fully recovered, and he is ready to put on a good showing in Eugene.

"He is very determined, Yohan is ready and can't wait to go," Little said. "As a matter of fact, from last year, Yohan has been very serious after he came from the hernia surgery because that was what held him back last year.

"Last week was recovery week after the Trials, and this week, we are stepping up the ball game, so we are just waiting for next Friday to start the ball game and to have a lot of fun."