Chalmers has World Champs in his sights
CAM CHALMERS and his Great Britain teammates are out to make an impression at the IAAF World Relays this weekend.
Not only will Guernsey’s 400m great gain competition experience against some of the international elite in Japan, a strong team performance will pave his way to reaching the Doha 2019 World Championships on the horizon.
But while many aspiring Guernsey athletes are travelling over to Portsmouth for this weekend’s Hampshire County Championships, Chalmers has long since settled himself in Yokohoma.
He flew over last Tuesday to get used to the eight-hour time difference and to prime himself for the task at hand.
‘The main objective is just to qualify for the relays in Doha – I think that’s our main aim,’ said Chalmers.
‘Bottom line, that’s what we’re going out there to do. It’s definitely do-able and we just need to all run well and get the job done.’
A top-eight finish will guarantee GB’s progression to the World Champs in the autumn, although another eight spots are available through world ranking.
GB will be without their top man after 2018 European champion Matthew Hudson-Smith withdrew due to injury.
Chalmers instead has Dwayne Cowan, Alex Haydock-Wilson, Martyn Rooney, Jamal Rhoden-Stevens, Owen Smith and Rabah Yousif for company in the men’s 4x400m squad list.
Select members also have the prospect of representing GB in mixed relay action ahead of the discipline’s inclusion in the World Champs.
The men’s 4x400m heats run from 11.35am BST tomorrow and the finals take place on Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, in Hampshire this weekend, more than 40 athletes are due to represent Guernsey across various disciplines and age categories.
One of the greatest senior-level highlights will come in Saturday’s 800m action as last year’s U20 silver medallist Alex Rowe challenges fellow Bath student Richard Bartram for an Island Games place.
