Hoffa an uncomfortable favourite confirms Valencia ambition 18. December 07

The World’s number shot putter Reese Hoffa, the reigning World Indoor and outdoor champion, plans to dodge no-one in his quest to retain his standing and is targeting a successful defence of his World indoor crown at the 12th IAAF World Indoor Championships, Valencia, Spain (7 – 9 March 2008).

The 30-year-old US athlete enjoyed a marvellous 2007 – heading the world lists with a monster 22.43m and also landing the gold medal at the World Championships in Osaka.

But although the Olympic Games remains his main goal for the 2008 summer season - he failed to qualify for the final in Athens on his Olympic debut - the amiable Hoffa is adamant Valencia remains a major part of his ambition for the forthcoming year.

“I’m looking to win the World Indoor Championships in Valencia, Spain, and win the Olympic Games in the same year,” insisted Hoffa.

“If there is a major championships I like to prepare myself to go out and throw. I like to think I never back down from a single competition, instead of saying I can take the indoor season off. But for me why duck a major championship? To be a great shot putter in the world you have got to do everything and be everywhere that entire year.”

Now a home town hero

The Georgia-based athlete landed his first major title at the 2006 World Indoor Championships in Moscow and went on to enjoy a solid outdoor campaign. But his form in 2007 was nothing short of sensational as he threw beyond the 21.00m mark as if for fun and was the only athlete in the world to clear 22.00m.

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