Chalmers targets Commonwealth Games gold for Guernsey
Alastair Chalmers' bronze medal in Birmingham four years ago was Guernsey's first-ever track and field medal at the Commonwealth Games
- Published
Guernsey's Alastair Chalmers says he is targeting a gold medal in the 400m hurdles at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The 25-year-old former British champion won bronze in Birmingham four years ago - his island's first-ever track and field medal at the games.
He has gone on to reach the semi-finals of the Olympics, where he fell, and the semi-finals at last year's World Championships.
"I really want to go for gold," he told BBC Radio Guernsey.
"You never know who's going to be there, I'd love to come away with a gold medal.
"But if not if we can just get any sort of silverware that's going to be a massive win.
"It's a long old season, but I'm in great shape and I feel really good about this year."
Alastair Chalmers will hope not to repeat his run in the semi-finals of the Olympic Games when he fell 150m from the finish line
He is one of two track and field athletes alongside sprinter Abi Galpin in Guernsey's 20-strong squad for this summer's event in Glasgow.
Chalmers set a personal best of 48.30 seconds last year and has Kriss Akabusi's British record of 47.82 seconds at the 1992 Olympic Games in his sights this year.
"If the season goes well I want to try and break the British record at the London Diamond League in mid-July, so that's the big plan," he said.
"I've just got to stay healthy, keep locked in and it's going to be a great year -hopefully Guernsey can come out on top."
The Commonwealth Games is the biggest sporting event Guernsey competes in under its own flag.
Chalmers says winning a first gold medal for the island in any sport at the Games since 1990 would be among his greatest achievements.
"I think if we get gold in Glasgow, there's probably no better feeling other than getting a gold at the Olympic Games in my opinion," he said.
"It's a very rare thing to call yourself a champion in any kind of sport or competition, so it's going to be a big challenge, it's not going to be easy.
"It's not like I'm going to walk over there and win this gold medal easily or even get a medal, I could come fourth or fifth, you never know.
"So I've just got to put myself out there and back myself and make sure that the coach and I get me in the right position for that time of the year where everything's firing."