Athletics: Willis sets sights on early qualifier

Nick Willis (right) says he wasn't his 'usual self', despite winning bronze in the 1500m at the Commonwealth Games. Photo / Getty Images

Nick Willis is placing pressure on himself to produce an A-standard qualifying time for the world track and field championships when he returns to New Zealand next month.

He will race solely in the 1500m and will not add the 800m at the year's premier athletics event in Daegu, South Korea in August-September.

Last year culminated in a 1500m bronze medal at the Delhi Commonwealth Games but Willis is grateful just to be rehabilitated after knee surgery.

"I've just finished a five-week stint at altitude in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and am heading back for three weeks at home in Ann Arbor to do some fast workouts on the indoor track to capitalise on that training."

The Olympic silver medallist - although he is yet to receive the gong - intends to race indoors at Boston on February 5 before coming home where he will run a warm-up 800m on February 19 in Hamilton.

He will try to crack the sub-3m 35s pace required for qualification at the international track meet in Christchurch on February 26. His back-up event is in Melbourne on March 3.

"The IAAF lowered that qualification time recently, so I'll be doing well to get it," Willis says.

"I want it now in case of injury; it's a security deposit. It also gives me something to aim for - and be aggressive about - early in the season."

The 27-year-old's ambitious nature means he has a new target. Willis' personal best and the New Zealand 1500m national record is the 3m 32.17s he set in Paris in 2006. If he can stay fit, Willis can better that time but he has a more audacious plan - and it could come at the same venue in July.

"I have run two personal bests there before [the first in 2005 when he broke Sir John Walker's 3m 32.4s national record]. I have confidence in that venue. I would still love to have a crack at that elusive sub 3m 30s mark."

Only 20 athletes have done that, making it elite territory.

Willis will compete in the New Zealand national championships in March, then head back to the United States for another altitude stint. He wants to optimise his chances in South Korea.

"In three out of the last four years [Osaka 2007, Beijing 2008 and Delhi 2010], I have raced my main event in Asia. So Daegu shouldn't pose too many acclimatisation problems.

"I also enjoy the system that Athletics New Zealand put in place for Beijing and Delhi."

Much has been made of Sparc's relationship with individual athletes of late, initiated by the Ben Fouhy saga, but Willis says he's had no problems.

"They have been amazing. Athletics New Zealand and Sparc give me the green light to do what I please. As long as it is within reason, they support it; I'm blessed not to be tied down. Hopefully they consider I repay them, not just with my performance on the track but also by returning to promote the sport.

"That's the whole idea behind earning a medal in Beijing; you come home to inspire the next generation."

The ongoing saga of Willis' silver medal from the Beijing Games may finally be resolved in a month. Rashid Ramzi was stripped of gold over 14 months ago for failing a drugs test but Willis is yet to see his upgraded prize.

"Apparently it did arrive but the NZOC sent it back because it still had the name of the silver medallist [Asbel Kiprop] engraved on it. They [the IOC] are sending out another but the final details are yet to be confirmed. I'm assured it's being sorted out."

Willis says he is feeling the best he has post-Delhi. "There are no repercussions from the first surgery. The worst of my problems has been mild shin splints but my fitness is where I hoped it would be. I wasn't my usual self at Delhi so hopefully the true Nick Willis will return at the world champs."