US hurdler Bianca eager to shine at Kip Keino meeting

America's women's 400m hurdler Bianca Stubler is hopeful to upgrade last year's bronze to gold in the sixth edition of the Absa Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour Gold meet due to go down at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on Saturday.

She will face well known rivals, including race defending champion Amalie Iuel of Norway.

Elisabeth Slettum, also of Norway, will also be in the mix to improve on her seventh place finish last season.

Others foraging for glory in the energy sapping sprinting challenge include Jessica Wright (USA), Kristiina Halonen (Finland) and Eileen Demes (Germany).

"It will be my second time in the Kip Keino Classic and I can only promise one thing, to strike gold. That's my aim. "I have perused the line up and most of those in the competing are well known to me. I have run a lot against some of those in the line up. I know them well. I already have my calculations on how to floor the field," the 25-year-old said.

"Most of the opponents I met at the weekend at the Croatia Continental Gold Meet and it's not surprising that we are going to compete together here in Nairobi this weekend.

"We have run together a couple of times and also here last year, so I'll be looking to compete hard, race for the win," she said.

Asked what lessons she learnt in her debut at the Kip Keino Classic last year, the Loyola University Chicago sprints assistant coach said: "It was a little bit wild. I had an amazing experience here. The crowd at the stadium was the craziest I have ever been to. The championship was awesome. I did pretty well, but now I'm looking forward to doing even better. I'm looking forward to competing at that high octane level in this awesome place. It's all about getting the athletics experience everyday."

Stubler admits she is inspired into the race by her compatriot and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin who has so far broken six world records in the category, with the current best at 50.37 seconds.

"Sydney is someone on her own levels and I look up to her for inspiration. We are all on our own journeys. I admire what she does. I'm still young and have belief in my capabilities to rise someday.

"I'm always honoured to compete with the best in the world like Sydney, it's an honour to come from the US where everyone is really good and deep, so being able to compete against them multiple times in the year is such an accolade.

"I intend to continue getting that experience and exposure before the world stage," Stubler said.

After Kip Keino Classic, Stubler will proceed for other meets in Italy and Jamaica. She is hopeful to book a berth for the Worlds in Tokyo in September as well as the LA 2028 Olympics which her country will be hosting.

"The dream is always the Olympics. I won't stop until I get there. I will be over the moon if I get that gold," she said.

Stubler said she has also decided to venture into coaching at the Loyola University Chicago despite her tender age in order to give back to the society.