2011's World 400m hurdles bronze medallist LJ Van Zyl has his sights firmly set on success in 2012.
South African feels it's his best year yet ahead of London
2011's World 400m hurdles bronze medallist LJ Van Zyl has his sights firmly set on success in 2012.
The South African, who posted the four fastest times last year, finished behind Britain's Dai Greene and Puerto Rican Javier Culson at the World Championships after battling through 2011 with a hamstring strain.
"This has been my best year in terms of base work, I started in November and I'm already doing better this year at the same exercises compared to when I broke the South African record last February," Van Zyl said.
"The key thing is that I'm injury free and I'm timing my peaks better. I've learnt how to pace myself and get to my peak for the major events."
The three-time African Champion boasts an impressive background over the hurdles, with success at World Junior level dating back to 2001, he has medals at every major senior championships, bar the Olympics.
Van Zyl, who possesses a personal best two tenths quicker than World Champion Brit Dai Greene, is certainly looking to better his fifth place finish in Beijing four years ago.
No pressure
"There's a lot of expectation, but I see it as motivation, not pressure," said Van Zyl, who admitted the competition would be testing in London.
"The Americans are always good, they'll have two or three guys in the final, while there's also Greene and Culson. Basically, everyone in the final has a good chance of doing well.
"But there'll definitely be more pressure on Greene in front of his home crowd. Anyway, I'll just be focusing on my own race and my 10 hurdles," he told Reuters.
With no indoor season, the 26-year-old is fully focused on the Olympics and has planned his outdoor calendar around the blue-riband event.
"My season is so long and I've had too many races before which has led to tired legs. So I'll be concentrating on training until April and will then compete in the Yellow Pages Series (the domestic South African circuit). We have three other fine hurdlers in South Africa, so the competition will be good.
"Training at 1,400 metres above sea level in Pretoria will also definitely be an advantage when it comes to running in London, and the weather's much better too," he said.
Van Zyl has plans to marry fellow South African Irvette van Blerk, who is trying to qualify for the women's marathon at the London Games, seven weeks after the Olympic 400m hurdle final.
