DOMINIC King says his Rio preparations are right on track following an encouraging performance at the IAAF World Race Walk Team Championships in Rome.

The Colchester-based race walker is busy preparing for this summer’s Olympic Games, having already booked his place in the Team GB squad.

King’s build-up to the big event continued when he competed in the 20 kilometre race walk in Italy, last weekend.

And although he was disqualified by the judges after picking up three warnings at around the 17k mark, he nevertheless was pleased with his performance.

King said: “I came out at the 17k mark but I felt that there were a lot of positives to take.

“It was an opportunity for me to develop a bit of speed and I felt I did that.

“I wasn’t far off my personal best at that stage, which shows that the fitness was there.

“The 20k is a lot quicker than the 50k and getting disqualified with only a few metres to go isn’t major – it’s purely because of top end speed and the course was quite tough as well.

“The 50k is a slower event and two and a half times longer.

“The 20k is tricky and there are a lot of warnings given out.

“For the first time in a long time, I got a warning from the judges for contact and that happened because I was looking to get more drive off the back foot.”

King clocked a time of 21 minutes 39 seconds at the 5k mark to leave him in 98th position and reached the 10k mark in a time of 43m 48s.

That left the Colchester Harriers athlete in 90th position and he continued to improve, reaching the 15k point in 84th position in a time of one hour 06m 07s.

“With every 5k I was moving through the field," said King.

“It was a strong race in that as it went on, I felt better and better.

“I went into the race ranked 104th out of 130.

“My position at the point of coming out of the race was inside the top 80, which was pleasing.

“The other big positive was that after the race, I felt fine and I had a lot of energy left.

“It was an absolutely fantastic event to be a part of.

“It has lots of history and Don Thompson, who is probably the most well-known race walker of all time, had one of the greatest moments in British race walking history when he won the 1960 Olympic 50km Bosworth.

“I’ve raced in front of Buckingham Palace at the London Olympics but it was amazing to race outside the Colosseum."

King continues his preparations for the Rio Olympics when he takes part in the Essex County Championships 3k race in Chelmsford, this weekend.