Abdalelah Haroun
Doha: Qatar’s Abdalelah Haroun is eager to begin this year’s Diamond League campaign on a winning note in the season-opening leg at the Qatar Sports Club Stadium on May 4.
The 21-year old, a bronze medallist at last year’s World Championship in England, said a gold at the home event with be an ideal one as he has embarked on his preparations for the 2019 World Championships in Qatar.
“Gold is the target (at the Diamond League in Doha). It would be good to get one here especially with the 2019 World Championships coming here in Qatar. There is already some amount of nervousness because the work starts now. This year we have to work hard, focus on our dreams, and next year it’s a big chance,” said Haroun, while talking to journalists.
Haroun, who secured the bronze medal at the World Championship clocking 44.48 seconds in the men’s 400 metres final, said the next two years are important years of his career.
“For 2019 and 2020, the preparations and pressure has begun now. These are two very important years for all of us,” said Haroun.
Haroun said he had a hamstring scare a couple of weeks back but has fully recovered.
“Two weeks ago, I had a hamstring problem, but it is ok now. I had been jogging, gym training, and now I have also moved to do track training. The feeling is good,” he said.
He said that he is top form and ready for the season ahead.
“Right now, my form is good. I started the year in Tehran, where I got two golds – 400m and 4x400m. After that I came back to Qatar and I trained here. Then, I left for a training camp in Brazil (for one month). I also had a training camp in Turkey (for another month),” he informed.
The sprinter is happy with his timing, which he said will improve in the course of time.
“I have done 45.41 at the start of the season. It’s ok, not a bad timing to build on. After that I did the 200m in 21.16. But then got a little bit of an injury. But now I am feeling good, I have begun working hard. Also, this event is at home, in front of my family and friends, so I am looking forward to it. I have a feeling we will perform this season,” he said.
Speaking about his pre-season training he said: “My pre-season training was non-stop and very tough, but it paid off as I started off the year very well by winning the Asian Indoor title for the second time.”
