Fresno, California, USA – Reese Hoffa isn’t holding anything back when it comes to the indoor season in the Shot Put. Yesterday, the reigning indoor and outdoor World champion kicked off what will be a hectic indoor campaign with a win at 21.06m in the USA vs. The World competition in the Run for the Dream Invitational at the Save Mart Center (21 Jan).
Hoffa also plans to compete in the Reebok Boston Indoor Games (26 Jan), Millrose Games (1 Feb), Tyson Invitational (15 Feb) and the USA Track & Field Indoor Championships (24-25 Feb) as a build up to defence of his World Indoor title in Valencia, Spain (7-9 March).

“I’ve done indoors every single year,” Hoffa said. “Like anything, you have to compete. If I didn’t do it, I think it would hinder my performance.”

USA wins 11 of 16 events

Hoffa’s victory led a 1-2 American sweep with Dan Taylor (19.99m) backing him up, and was among 11 victories in 16 events for the U.S. pitting the Americans against international athletes to win 96-66 in the competition scored as a dual meet.

Amy Acuff and Carmelita Jeter were notable U.S. women’s winners in the opening leg of the USATF Visa Championship series. Acuff won the High Jump (1.95m) and Jeter, the World bronze medallist in the 100m, edged Angela Daigle-Bowen in the 55m, 6.84 to 6.85.

Allen Johnson won the men’s 55m Hurdles in 7.14 and Josh Norman was a winner in the flat 55m in 6.20 for the U.S.

High expectations for 2008

Hoffa called his outdoor breakthrough in 2007 including his first national title and the World Championship gold, as the turning point in his career after often being overshadowed by compatriot and training partner Adam Nelson.

Hoffa was definitely the centre of attraction at the Run for the Dream meet, as he ripped off his jersey after the competition and heaved it into the crowd.

“There’s a lot more expectations with people looking at me as well as Adam,” Hoffa said. “I’m not just the other guy. More than anything, I have to continue to throw well.”

Hoffa has plenty of inspiration training in Athens, Georgia with his college coach Don Babbitt. Koji Murofushi recently joined the training group. The 2004 Olympic Hammer Throw champion from Japan visited for two weeks in October and has now relocated to Georgia to train.

“He's adding another element to my training here in Georgia,” Hoffa said. “It's someone else to hang out with and talk to. He's a great resource. He's done it all, and in Japan he's almost bigger than life.”

read more Hoffa wins with 21.06m in season’s debut in Fresno from iaaf.org