REIGNING African shot put queen, Vivian Chukwuemeke, has said she would do everything possible to improve on the 18.86 metres she threw at the just concluded African Athletics Championship in Porto Novo when hostilities begin in the London Olympics later this month.Chukwuemeke emerged the star athlete on the final day of the Porto Novo competition with her 18.86 metres throw that shattered her 18.33 metres 2006 African record.Now, the Delta State-born athlete, who won a Commonwealth gold medal at Manchester 2002 Games, says she is looking forward to more records, starting with the London Olympics.She told The Guardian shortly before Team Nigeria's departure to the Surrey Camp for preparation ahead of the Olympics that her target was to move above the 18.86 metres before the commencement of the event.'I know that many people will find it difficult to believe that I trained for only two weeks before going to the African Athletics Championship in Porto Novo,' she said. 'If I can achieve this feat (18.86 metres throw) with just two weeks of training, I am confident that with good atmosphere and hard work, I will surpass the mark in London.'Chukwuemeke revealed that she was able to achieve the feat in Porto Novo through the assistance of coach Ken Onuoguluchu, who she described as God-sent. She added: 'I must commend his effort because he turned things around for me in just two weeks.'He came up with a new technique in the shot put and it really helped me. This is my first time of working with such a coach and I must say upcoming Nigerian athletes will have a lot to benefit from him.'Chukwuemeke also stated that she would participate in one or two European meets to step up her preparation for the London Games, insisting: 'My prayer is for God to guard me from any form of injury and give me the strength to do it in London.'I am really determined to win an Olympic medal to crown the efforts I have put in over the years. One thing that is giving me so much confidence is the fact that the 2012 Olympic Games is holding in London.'It is very close to the city of Manchester, where I picked a Commonwealth gold in 2002. I pray things work out for me in London.
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