Ewers to break out of comfort zone

Doha,Qatar:

Andre Ewers joined a handful of Jamaican sprinters who are positioned to carry on the country's rich tradition in sprinting when he clocked 9.98 seconds last season.

The former Florida State University (FSU) student is looking to go one step closer to carrying out that task by learning the rigours of international championships when he competes here in the men's 200m in the coming days.

"This championships will give me a lot of experience in terms of running against the best in the world, and experience on how to cope with [an] environment that I am not used to," he said.

Ewers, who signed with Puma after he graduated from FSU last spring, struggled at the Pan American Games in August, as he placed eighth in the final of the 200m with a time of 20.91 seconds.

But the 24-year-old believes he is regaining the form he had when he produced 20.14 seconds at the NCAA east preliminary round, and the 20.19 in the heat of the half-lap event at the National Championships in June.

"My expectation is to make the final, but I am taking it round by round. When I get to the final, I am hoping that God blesses me to finish in the top three," he said.

Ewers, who has a season best of 10.06 seconds in the 100m, is also in the relay pool for the 4x100m and he believes Jamaica can reclaim their World title if they execute their baton exchange smoothly.

"When I look at our team, I think Jamaica can run 37 low, and that will get us a medal and even win the title, because all the guys are fast. It's just about getting the stick around," he said.

The heats of the men's 200m are scheduled for 12 p.m. on Sunday.