Hordeloper Koen Smet is looking forward to the FBK Games in Hengelo tomorrow. He speaks of “a nice field of participants and a very cool competition”. However, the Amsterdammer is not yet in top form, because his training structure this year is different from last season.
In 2021, Smet ran his personal best of 13.50 at the FBK Games. “If I can run around 13.50 or 13.60 tomorrow, that would be great. But I do notice that I am a little less in shape than last year. I also consciously chose that, because I am a father at the beginning of this year Now I want to peak a little later in the year.”
“I’m working on some technical things in my hurdles technique, so it doesn’t feel the way I would like yet,” Smet continues. “I do feel that there are good times in my legs. I am also satisfied with the season opening, although I had Friday in Manchester a bad start and some headwind.”
On paper, there is a strong field of participants at the start in the 110 meter hurdles in Hengelo. “It will be a very cool match anyway”, Smet looks ahead. “I have to run my own race and not worry so much about who is competing and who I have to beat, then you run someone else’s race and not your own. With a good outlier you can finish on the podium, but you can also be eighth.”
Almost sold out
Smet is looking forward to walking in front of his own audience. “The FBK Games is always great to do. It is also fairly sold out this year, so that’s just great. Many Olympians and world toppers come to Hengelo and there are also many top athletes from Dutch soil. very special to be part of that.”
Smet will be in action tomorrow around 4 pm. Amsterdammer Liam van der Schaaf also participates in the 110 meter hurdles. After that, the women come into action with, among others, the North Hollanders Nadine Visser and Maayke Tjin A-Lim.