NAIROBI, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Emmanuel Korir is planning to run a world record time in the 800m race this season.
The 23-year-old, who has his training base in the USA, believes he has the strength to challenge Olympic champion David Rudisha's 1:40.91 world record. However, Korir is not keen to attempt a world record now, but rather to work on improving his form and time.
His personal best time stands at 1:43.10, which he set in Monaco Diamond League meeting last year.
"My goal this year is to run 1:42 or 1:41 and who knows maybe a world record. When you have a dream and work on it, you will achieve it. Maybe in four years' time I will be able to run a world record. My coach has always been encouraging us to focus," said Korir on Wednesday.
On Saturday, Korir will have a real test of his ability as top runners head to the USA for the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon which will be the third stop in the Diamond League.
"I have no specific target for Prefontaine Classic and in Diamond league you never know. Do I want to win or run a fastest race, we will see," said Korir.
His coach Paul Ereng of Kenya, former world 800m champion, said Korir has the potential to break any record if he remains focused.
He said he will first try to chase the meet record in Prefontaine Classic together with youngster Daniel Saruni.
"Korir is in good shape but needs to race a little bit more. Last year by this time we had raced several races, but this year he has only raced twice and was unable to go to Birmingham, World Indoor Championships because of visa issues," said Ereng.
"In Qatar, they started the race slowly and only picked up the ibn the second lap. He should be ready to run fast time in the Prefontaine Classic."
In Prefontaine Classic, the field will be tough with Botswana's Nijel Amos, Kenya's Kipyegon Bett, Wycliffe Kinyamal, the new Commonwealth Games champion, and European winner Poland's Adam Kszczot among others lining up.
Korir missed out on the World Indoor Championships this year because of Visa hitch and has only raced twice so far.
He won the Doha Diamond League meeting on May 4 clocking 1:45.21, and also topped the list in New York when he posted a season best time of 1:44.21.
