Patrizia van der Weken has voiced satisfaction with her shift from indoor to outdoor competition, as she targets a strong showing at the World Championships following a solid performance at last year’s Olympic Games.

Following her sensational bronze medals in the 60 metres at the European Indoor Championships in the Netherlands and the World Indoor Championships in China, Luxembourg sprinter Patrizia van der Weken is now setting her sights on the 100 metres.

After a short break and two training camps, van der Weken returned to competition at the Diamond League meeting in Doha last weekend, clocking an impressive 11.05 seconds in her season debut. She finished fifth in the final, just behind the Clayton sisters, Tia and Tina, and Britain's Amy Hunt – tying with Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who placed fourth.

Tia Clayton posted the fastest time of the year so far, crossing the line in 10.92 seconds.

Van der Weken optimistic ahead of key season targets

Speaking with RTL, Luxembourg sprinter Patrizia van der Weken expressed satisfaction with her transition from indoor to outdoor competition. "I feel good, I'm in shape, but there are still details we need to work on. I'm a little better in the 100 meters than the 60 meters, I'm more at home there", she says.

Opening appearance over 100 metres in Doha was challenging

Reflecting on her first race of the season over 100 metres at the Diamond League meeting in Doha, she said: “The conditions weren’t comparable to what we’re used to in Europe.” Nonetheless, she emphasised that all athletes faced the same situation and described her performance as a “solid race.”

RTL

© VIRGINIE LEFOUR BELGA MAGBelga via AFP

This week, van der Weken is set to compete at a training meet in Poland, where colder and windier conditions are expected. She acknowledged the weather might not be ideal but said, “It’s not a big deal,” as the focus would be on applying specific elements from training and preparing for the season ahead.

After Poland, she plans to travel directly to Turkey for nearly two weeks of training, before the outdoor season truly gets underway.

Key focus

Van der Weken confirmed that the World Athletics Championships in September remain the primary focus of her season. There would be a number of intermediate races along the way, but her aim was to be in peak form by the time she arrives in Japan. “I want to be in good shape to deliver a strong result,” she said, adding that her ambition was to finish “top 15 or better” in order to pick up where she left off at last year’s Olympic Games.