Raymond Graham, STAR Writer

World and Olympic 400 metres hurdles gold medallist, Melaine Walker, has predicted that track and field fans will see the 'true Melaine again' in next year's track and field season. Walker the second fastest female ever in the 400 metres hurdles with her winning time of 52.42 seconds in the 2009 Berlin World Championships has been competing over the sprint hurdles for the past two years and after a season's best of of 13.36 she entered last weekend's National Senior Championships. She could only manage fifth in her heat in 13.59, however, and failed to advance to the final.

Walker said she was just coming off an injury and that was the reason for her below par effort. "I ran faster time in the season but I hurt my quadriceps a month ago. I, however, decided that another year would not have passed by without me running at the National Championships. I toughened up and came out here and did what I had to do," Walker told STAR Sports after her event at the weekend.

Walker denied reports that she had quit the 400m hurdles.

"I have no regrets, as far as not doing the 400m hurdles for the past two years is concerned. I am preparing myself as I am working on a lot of things. I have been doing both but I just decided to do the 100m hurdles (at the National Championships)," Walker added.

She, however, declined to confirm whether she will be doing the 400m hurdles next year. "I am not going to say no, but I am definitely thinking about it and I am yet to make a decision," she said.

Walker is based at Racers Track Club where she is being conditioned by top local hurdles coach Fitz Coleman.