ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Antiguan world-class sprinters Daniel Bailey and Brendan Christian have declared themselves ready for the 12th IAAF World Championship starting this weekend in Berlin, Germany.

Bailey, the world’s fourth quickest man this year, is a legitimate medal candidate in the 100 metres and Christian, the reigning Pan American Games 200-metre champion, is no stranger to international success.

A training partner of double world sprint record holder Usain Bolt, the 22-year-old Bailey has told the Antigua SUN newspaper that he is in perfect shape for Berlin.

“Everything, right now, is going great,” he said.

“I am feeling excellent – no injuries, no pains anywhere so I am just focused on training and getting ready.

Bailey clocked a national record 9.91 for the runner-up spot to Bolt at the Paris Golden League last month and only American Tyson Gay (9.77), Bolt (9.79) and Jamaican Asafa Powell (9.88) have gone faster this year than he has.

Bailey is poised for a spot in the final and believes he can give his country its first ever medal at the IAAF World Championship.

“This World Championship means a lot to me right now because I am ranked at number four in the world right now and I stand a great chance of making the finals which is a great achievement for an Antiguan – if I can make the World Championships finals.

“I know that once I put in what I need to put in, then I can get a medal in Germany,” Bailey said.

Christian is targeting a 200-metre medal and told the Antigua SUN his preparation has gone well.

“I have been working on the weakest parts of my races based on my performances this year which would be the end – the last 30 to 20 metres – of the 200,” he said.

“I have been working on my strength and my endurance so I have been feeling good,” added Christian, the Antigua and Barbuda national 200-metre record holder at 20.12 seconds.

Christian, the first Antiguan to win a Pan Am Senior Games gold medal, has been posting sub-20 clockings in training this summer and believes he can win a medal.

“Based on how practice is going, I believe I should definitely be in the finals and once you get into finals then you never know what could happen – a medal is definitely within reach and I definitely want a medal, so am looking forward to that,” said the 25-year-old, who won Pan Am 200-metre gold in Brazil two years ago.