Angus Gould hopes to jumpstart world champ bid at Queanbeyan Gift Angus Gould (wearing the black top and blue shorts) wins the 2013 Queanbeyan Gift. Last year's win was supposed to kickstart his season, but defending Queanbeyan Gift champion Angus Gould says the injuries which cruelled his Commonwealth Games hopes will spur him on to qualify for next year's world championships. After walking off with the $10,000 winner's cheque, the Canberran had his sights set on qualifying for the long jump at Glasgow before hamstring issues ruined his chances. The 20-year-old easily won last year's Gift. Gould still believes he can win despite his marked being pushed back from from 7.75 metres to 5.25 metres. However, the Australian National University student says qualifying for the August's world championships is his major goal. Gould is ranked fifth in the country with a personal best of 7.80 metres, but needs to jump 8.10 metres to qualify for Beijing and also be in Australia's top three. "I was jumping personal bests early on and then tore my hamstring a couple of times and didn't get a chance to qualify [for Commonwealth Games] at the nationals," Gould said. It was pretty hard to swallow, especially considering I'd made some of the B qualifiers and was in the mix. It was definitely difficult. Now injury free, Gould is confident he can find the extra distance he needs to compete at the world championships. "Breaking the eight-metre barrier and making the world champs would be my big goal for this year," he said. I definitely think I have the ability to do it, but you need the right conditions. Gould said some well-credentialled runners would be tough to beat in the Gift, particularly Commonwealth Games 100-metre relay runner Jake Hammond. Hammond ran a 100 metres personal best 10.38 seconds in February and will begin from 3.25 metres after starting from 1.75 metres last year. He's one of the fastest in the field and has got a nice little lift. Mitchell Tysoe and Christian Foster [both 6.75 metres] will be up there too," Gould said. I think I'm flying under the radar and no one's expecting me to win again, but athletics isn't a cheap sport and you have to grab these opportunities when you can. As a back marker the key is to relax and not worry if you're not overtaking guys within the first 30 metres. Melbourne 17-year-old Maddie Coates will also return to try to defend her title in the women's event. She is rated a strong hope after winning gold and silver in the 100 metres and 200 metres at the junior national titles in March. This year, the prizemoney for the men's and women's events has been increased to $12,000. Saturday and Sunday from Queanbeyan Park Saturday: Heats from 11.15am, street party in Crawford Street from 6pm Sunday: Finals from 10.50am, men's final at 2.30pm, women's final at 2.45pm.