London 2017 Head-to-Head: Jonnie Peacock

"The way that the British make noise is insane. I’m just looking forward to that, to be honest."

Great Britain’s star sprinter Jonnie Peacock will return to the scene of his London 2012 Paralympic triumph hoping to add the world crown to his list of achievements – the 24-year-old won the world title back in 2013, but missed out on Doha 2015 due to injury.

We spoke to Peacock ahead of the World Para Athletics Championships, where he lines up in the hotly anticipated men’s 100m T44.

IPC: Who do you regard as your biggest threat?

Peacock: That’s a difficult one to be honest with you. I think that Jarryd Wallace hasn’t shown all of his cards this year and I think that he’s going to come in to the championships with some great form. Then Johannes Floors (T43) has had a great season, popping a couple of times down – he’s run 10.88 this season, the second fastest athlete. So I think they will be my biggest challengers, but you honestly never know in these races, sometimes someone can just do something.

What do you think your rivals fear about you most?

The fact that when it comes to the big stage they know that I’m going to put a good performance down. My top end seems to be good at the moment so hopefully I will try and run away.

You don’t race each other often during the year, what’s it like when you gather in the call room?

I’m just excited really, I really look forward to racing everybody. There are not that many opportunities so when you do get it it’s just awesome and it feels like it’s your event.

Do you follow your rivals’ progress during the season?

Yeah, I like to keep a little tab on everybody, just have a little look out and see what people are doing. I definitely always keep check of people’s runs and form and stuff – that’s how I know about Jarryd and Johannes.

How can you use the home support to your advantage?

It’s just a great feeling to know that the British guys are there, cheering for you. It just feels like you are at home. The way that the British make noise is insane. I’m just looking forward to that, to be honest.

You’ve won Paralympic, world and European titles – you top the world rankings this year after clocking 10.76 seconds in May. Do you feel you have a psychological edge?

I guess to a point – I think when it comes to sprinting it’s all about running fast. If you run fast throughout the season that gives you confidence and I know that I’ve run well this season. I’ve run sub-11 seven times this season, sub-10.9 six times – and I still haven’t run a time that I know I’m capable of. I’m looking forward to it.

At what point in your career do you think you became the hunted rather than the hunter?

I still feel like the hunter to be honest with you. I still go in to races wanting to make sure I’m still trying to run people down. I never go in to it thinking ‘Who’s going to chase me down.’ I go in to it thinking ‘I’ve got to make sure I get in front of these guys.’ I guess I approach every race as the hunter and I guess that world title is up for grabs right now so I’m definitely trying to hunt that.