JAVELIN thrower Leslie Copeland has set his focus to qualify for the top 12 places in the first round of competition during the Rio Olympics.
The national record holder finished 13th in the last Olympics and his target was to improve from where he left off four years ago.
Copeland said once he qualified for the Top 12 spot he would be eligible to compete in the finals.
“My first focus is to secure a spot in the Top 12 as this guarantee me a spot in the final,” he said.
“I missed out the final in the last Olympics and I have been training hard to compete in the final.”
The former Marist Brothers High School student who recorded personnel best of 81.76m said he was confident of a good outing in Rio.
He said the competition would be tough but was prepared to face the challenge against the best in the world.
“I have been working hard with my coach in our effort to do well in Rio.”
“We have set out our target and we are working hard at training to fulfil our first target of qualifying to the final.”
Copeland and sprinter Sisilia Seavula are the two representatives from Athletics Fiji selected for Team Fiji at the Rio Olympics.
And with a wealth of experience under his belt, Copeland is expected to give his fellow competitors a good run for their money in Rio.
