15 May 2014

Shara Proctor (coach: Rana Reider) admits she is raring to go ahead of her first 2014 outdoor season meet at this weekend’s IAAF Diamond League in Shanghai.

The British long jump record holder is in a confident and excitable mood following a good stint of training at the British Athletics warm weather training camp in Florida with her coach Rana Reider.

“Warm weather training was exactly what I needed for a good solid block of training to get ready for the season,” said the Birchfield Harrier.

“I’m confident for the season now and ready to start competing.  I’m definitely looking forward to Shanghai as it’s my official opener for the season.”

In 2012, Proctor eclipsed Bev Kinch’s long standing British record by 2cm to take the distance to 6.95cm, two years on the 2012 world indoor bronze medallist won’t be targeting distance this summer – just medals and titles.

“I’m not going to pin point a distance this season,” she confessed.

“I’m just going to jump and enjoy doing it this season. It’s more enjoyable when I take that approach. This year is more of a building process towards next year so I will just enjoy it.

“I want to win gold at the Commonwealth Games and the Europeans too. The Diamond League title is also a target.”

Fellow Brits Steve Lewis (Dan Pfaff), Luke Cutts (Trevor Fox) and Dwain Chambers (Reider) will also be in action this Sunday in China. 

You can follow their progress on the BBC Red Button on Sunday 18 May from 13:00 (BST).