Yipsi Moreno competing in Stuttgart (© Getty Images)
Havana, Cubatime World Hammer Throw champion Yipsi Moreno has shown she is ready for her third Olympic Games in Beijing after two outings over 75 metres early this season.
"I am feeling great physically and psychologically. No complaints", said Moreno, who travelled to Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Monday (21 April), for a four-week training camp.
The 27-year old leads the 2008 world lists with a 75.08 toss, followed by another 75m effort in Las Tunas, Cuba respectively on the 28 February and 6 March.
"We fulfilled our goals for the first part of the season. We had expected to throw 75m. It shows we are on the right track. In Ecuador, we will focus on strength before entering a special phase to polish all aspects," the 2004 Olympic silver medallist added.
Between Ecuador and her European campaign, Moreno expects to compete in two of the five meetings of the South American tour, 5-25 May.
With such consistency, Moreno won't be surprised if she breaks her national and Area record of 76.36m (2007).
"I hope it won't take long. I want to stay consistent and the record should be a matter of time."
The CAC and Pan American Games champion looks forward to her third Olympics, after finishing fourth in Sydney 2000 and claiming the silver medal in Athens 2004.
"I am taking these Games as a celebration. I want to enjoy every minute of it. Of course, I will do my best and I am in a position to stay on the podium".
Comparing the forthcoming Olympics to last summer’s World Championships in Osaka, Moreno believes Beijing won't be much different. "The level is very high and even. Anything can happen. In Osaka, only 2cm determined the gold and silver. I am at a similar level with the rest of the world's best. I will fight on the circle and see what happens."
The 2005 and 2007 World championships runner-up is also looking forward to returning to Beijing, where she claimed the silver medal at the 2001 World University Games.
"I loved China, but I don't have many memories. I was still ecstatic just days after winning my first World title in Edmonton. I am more experienced now and I would like to see more of China."
Under the guidance of coach Eladio Hernandez, Moreno leads a trio also made up of 2004 Olympic bronze medallist Yunaika Crawford and 2007 Pan American Games silver medallist Arasay Thondike. As they did in Osaka, they all want to qualify to the Olympic final.
Two other young prospects are training for another global event are Ariannys Vichy (PB of 67.49) and Yirisleydi Ford (63.10), for the 12th IAAF World Junior Championships, Bydgoszcz, Poland, 8 to 13 July 2008.
Javier Clavelo Robinson for the IAAF
