KUALA LUMPUR: National sprinter Russel Alexander Nasir Taib is settling in well at his new training base in Loughborough, England.
Russel, who is Malaysian-born but based in Australia previously, shifted to Loughborough at the end of last year where he trains with an elite sprints squad led by Great Britain coach and former Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Leon Baptiste.
The Loughborough High Performance Athletics Centre is home to the British Athletics National Performance Institute and Loughborough University Athletics Club. It is equipped with both indoor and outdoor track facilities.
Russel, who set the current 200m national record of 20.77 seconds in 2019, has a big year ahead.
"I am happy to be based here at Loughborough," said Russel.
"Training is going well here and it provides me more structure and opportunities. It (training schedule) should align well with the major championships this year.
"My main targets for this season are the Phnom Penh Sea Games, Asian Championships and also the Hangzhou Asian Games.
"For the Sea Games, I understand that I am on a (squad) long list but it is not entirely clear when the qualifying period starts and ends.
"I believe I have achieved the qualifying standard of 10.55s as I have already clocked 10.46s.
"This year I am also hoping to better my 200m national record as well as my world rankings."
Russel, who was forced to sit out last year's Hanoi Sea Games due to injury, said he will not be competing at the Malaysian Track and Field Championships in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 11-12.
"I'm not competing in next month's event (Malaysian Championships) as there was no selection or funding for it," said Russel.
"But the indoor season in England starts next month so I will be looking forward to that. It will help me prepare for the new (outdoor) season."
Russel, who reached the 200m semi-finals at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in August, is determined to compete in the Olympics one day.
"I truly believe I can make this dream a reality if I can get the support, work hard and maintain a truly determined mindset," said Russel.