André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

For Jamaican sprint hurdler Eric Keddo, making the cut for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey, came as a bit of a surprise, but having secured his place, he will be taking on each round of competition as his last.

Keddo, who started this season considerably later than he normally would have - after a long 2011 season which saw him competing at the Pan American Games in October - is determined to make the most of the opportunity granted to him, with a lane in the 60m final the primary objective.

"I was surprised that I made the team. I came on late in the season because I had a long 2011 season in making the Pan American Games Team for Jamaica in October. But once I made the standard I had a feeling that I was going to Turkey," Keddo told The Gleaner.

"I am very happy in making the team. I have achieved my first out of the two goals in store of me for the 2012 season," Keddo added, before underlining his ambitions for the championships.

"My goal is to make the finals in the 60-metre hurdles. I'm going to run every round like it is my last."

Keddo has not had many opportunities to test his form against the best in the world this season, but is banking on what he considers to be his ability to step it up a notch at major events.

"I'm going to take it one round at a time. I only ran against local competition here in the (United) States, I have not ran in Europe this season. However, I step up in championships races and I look to run against the best athletes in the world, so I can lower my time and set a personal best (in Istanbul). I also plan to turn some heads as well," Keddo assured.

Missing in action

Cuban Dayron Robles will be missing, due to an injury, but China's Liu Xiang, another of the world's best, is expected to feature at the World Indoor Championships.

Beyond his Istanbul selection, Keddo is hoping that 2012 will bring him more good news, particularly as it relates to the upcoming Olympic Games.

"The indoor season is coming along very well. Me and my coach (Lascelle Lewis) are using the indoor season as a preparation for the outdoor season. We have been working on quickness in-between the hurdles, along with technique over the hurdle as well," he added, hoping that it is work that will pay off in the next few days.

andre.lowe@gmail.com