The Indian is pitted against the best in the world of shot put and the Asian All Star champion Om Prakash (18.68m) expects the Poland would be a big challenge. Om Prakash is confident of bettering his personal best — a throw of 19.20 metres — which he had recorded at the Delhi State Athletics championship — by competing in Europe.

The shot putter will then move on to Valencia to compete in the the Spanish city’s International Indoor Meeting Ciudad de Valencia (the IAAF-recognised Indoor GP) on February 14. Valencia has a history of tough competitions in the shot put circle over the years and it would do him a world of good, while competing among the best from all over the world.

After the Valencia meet, Om Prakash will have a week’s rest before taking part in the Spanish National Indoor Championship at Seville. The Delhi shot putter thinks these events will definitely help him improve his technique.

A part of India’s elite athletes group preparing for the Commonwealth Games 2010 in Delhi, the shot putter believes if he maintains the momentum he has gained after the Delhi State meet, he could aim to touch the 20-metre mark sooner than later.