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Johannesburg - South African world long jump silver medallist Khotso Mokoena is in peak condition, according to his coach, and ready to win an elusive gold medal at next week's IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
Mokoena's coach, Hansie Coetzee, said his charge was in better shape than when he improved the African record to 8.50m in Madrid in 2009.
"We first had to sort out a few personal things and some technical problems, but he has drilled in some things and he is now on a good footing," said Coetzee.
"We've sorted out these things on time and I believe he is now 100 percent for the World Championships."
Mokoena has been inconsistent this season, but he made some inroads as the year progressed.
He qualified for the global championships early last month at the Diamond League meeting in Paris.
The Olympic silver medallist's mediocre form nearly cost him a place in the SA team to the world championships.
The pretender to his throne, world junior champion Luvo Manyonga, was initially the only qualifier with an A-standard jump of 8.26m.
In true Mokoena fashion, however, he performed when it counted most and booked his place alongside Manyonga with a season's best jump of 8.25m.
The 25-year-old Mokoena has proved his big match temperament, picking up silver medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2009 world championships in Beijing.
It is something Mokoena is well aware of, and which motivates him.
"It feels like a tradition to me and feels like I have to win at the big championships," said Mokoena.
"Every time I step into the championships I become a different person, which is good for me.
"I think for me it is always nice when I go to championships as the underdog.
"I am always the person they think will not be able to perform."
Mokoena said he did not plan for it to happen that way but it always worked in his favour.
This year will not be any different as Mokoena languishes in 16th place on the world rankings.
Australian Mitchell Watt is the outright favourite after setting a world leading 8.54m jump at the end of July.
Watt finished third behind Mokoena at the previous global championships.
"I feel the best I've ever been before the world championships and to me it is very important," said Mokoena.
"I always try and do my best at the championships. It means a lot."
