Decathlete Maurice Smith - file

Jamaica's decathlon record holder Maurice Smith is on a mission; one that started months ago and is set to end on the medal podium in Daegu, with this weekend's Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA)/Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships, at the National Stadium, a mere pit stop along the way.

Having already met the qualifying standard for the decathlon ahead of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea, to be staged this August, Smith will be facing the championships with little to worry about. The real target lies in wait in the Asian city and the 31-year-old is certain about the objective at hand.

my biggest rival

"The ultimate goal is to go there (World Championships) and be on the podium and I think I can definitely achieve that. I have won a silver medal before at this level and I think I can outdo myself. When I go out there to compete, I am my biggest rival, so if I can outdo myself, I definitely will be on the podium," Smith asserted.

Smith, who achieved the mark at the NACAC Combined Events Championships at the UWI/Usain Bolt Track in Mona last month after winning with a score of 8,078 points, will be competing in the 110m hurdles and long jump at this week's trials.

The 2007 Osaka decathlon silver medallist is, however, not seeking to represent the country in these individual events in Daegu, but is rather looking to increase his proficiency in the events, which have been two of his stronger disciplines over the years, while competing in the 10-event decathlon.

"For a couple of years, I've been telling myself that I want to run the 110m hurdles at the National Championships, but most of the times when it comes around, I would just be coming back from Europe so with my body going through jet lag and that kind of stuff, I would normally do a throwing event, but this year I'll get a chance to do the sprint hurdles," said Smith, who has avoided the European circuit up to this point for the chance to spend time with family while preparing for the trials.

"I didn't bother to do the European travel this year because I wanted to get back to the drawing board and get some good training in and prepare for the World Championships," Smith added.