Race walker Kim confident of podium finish

DAEGU, Aug. 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korean male race walker Kim Hyun-sub said Wednesday he is confident of winning a medal for the host country at the upcoming World Championships in Athletics.
At the training ground inside the athletes' village, Kim said he was in good shape and felt good about the race walk course in downtown Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
"I want to win a medal and make sure the championships won't end up being a party for everyone else," said Kim, who will compete in the 20-kilometer and 50-kilometer race walk events.
The championships kick off on Saturday for a nine-day run. South Korea is trying to avoid becoming only the third world championships host to fail to win a medal.
Kim could contend for a medal in the 20km event on Sunday. He set the Korean national record this March at 1 hour, 19 minutes and 31 seconds. It's about a minute behind the season's best mark, held by Wang Zhen of China.
Kim, 26, said weather conditions on the day of the competition will be a big factor.
"It's been mostly cloudy and cool this summer in Daegu, and I've been able to conserve energy," Kim said. "If it rains too much, it might be difficult. But I like overcast skies."
Kim added that he would like to see Daegu residents along the race walk course, cheering on the local stars.
Athletics experts say Kim has the requisite endurance and intensity to compete and could reach the podium if the winning time is around 1:21:00.