Asian Games Gold medallist Jinson Johnson, says he would not compete in 800m now and focus just on 1500m since he considers himself a medal contender at the Tokyo Olympics in the event.
Johnson was favourite to win both 800m and 1500m but compatriot Manjeet Singh pipped him in a thrilling finish in Jakarta.
However Johnson clocked 3:44.72 to win the 1500m Gold medal.
''If you are focussing on the Olympics, there is no point competing in both 800m and 1500m. I have spoken to my coaches and have decided that my focus will be on 1500m for Tokyo Olympics. I believe I will be a medal contender in Tokyo,'' Johnson said on the sidelines of the felicitation ceremony by the Indian Army.
Olympics is a completely different ball game compared to Asiad but what makes Johnson confident is the timing.
''Look at the medallists at the Rio Olympics. The Gold medallist (Mathew Centrowitz of US) clocked 3:50.00. Now look at my timing at the Asian Games. It is 3:44.72.
''So, in 1500m, It's not just about the timing. The middle distance running is all about strategy. You don't have to necessarily create world record to win Olympic Gold. Like my personal best is 3:37.00 which is also a national record,'' Johnson explained.
He is currently training at the national camp under Jayesh Bhatia and will be leaving for Czech Invitational Championship on Thursday.
''The event is on September 8 and 9. I would be leaving on Thursday. Apart from myself, there is Neeraj, PU Chithra, Arpinder Singh and Sudha Singh taking part,'' informed Johnson.
amit ready for challenges
Asian Games Gold medal-winning boxer Amit Panghal on Wednesday said that he might undergo strength training in the USA with the Indian Army's assistance to prepare his jump to the 52kg category for a shot at an Olympic medal.
The 22-year-old won the 49kg category Gold earlier this month, making him only the eighth Indian boxer ever with an Asiad Gold to his credit.
But amid widespread speculation that the 49kg category will be axed from the Olympics to accommodate more women's divisions, Panghal has decided to jump to the higher weight.
''Asian Games was my last competition in the 49kg category. Now my entire focus will be on Tokyo Olympics and for that I am switching to 52kg category. The challenge of increasing the weight isn't that great. The bigger challenge is to get adjusted to new weight,'' Panghal said.
''I have been told that I might be sent to the United States for a special strength training programme. I still don't know the details. The Army is going to sponsor my trip but details will be chalked out only after talking to the Boxing Federation of India. Our coaches Santiago sir (Nieva) and (CA) Kuttappa sir will accompany me,'' the diminutive Naib Subedar, who is also a Commonwealth Games Silver-medallist, said. ''I am fully aware about the challenges of a higher weight category. The height of the opponents will increase and the power in the punches will be greater. But I am ready for the new challenge,'' Panghal said.
However, unlike his senior Vikas Krishan, who is set to turn professional after a third successive Asiad medal, Panghal has no such plans as of now.
''The Indian Army has helped me a lot in my journey so far. Whether it's coaching facilities or other training needs, we just need to tell them and everything is taken care of. When I don't train at NIS Patiala, I am training at the Army Sports Institute in Pune,'' he said.
