A WORLD Championship medal, new personal best and an elusive victory over Russian rival Evgenni Shvetcov is what Paul Blake wants in 2015.

The Dorchester athlete has another big season ahead of him as he looks to build some momentum before next year’s Paralympics in Rio.

All of Blake’s focus this year is on October’s IPC World Championships in Doha, where he will go for gold in the 400m, and possibly the 100m too.

Unfortunately, the 25-year-old won’t be defending the T36 800m title he won in Lyon two years ago.

With the event being dropped from the programme for the 2016 Paralympic Games, Blake and coach Rob Ellchuk decided not to enter the race in Qatar this autumn.

However, there is still plenty for Blake to aim for, in particular finally getting the better of Shvetcov, the man who has denied him at all the recent major championships.

“My goal is to be in the top-three of the rankings and then get a medal in Doha, though obviously I would like to win gold,” he said.

“But I’d be really happy with a top three place and a personal best, and I don’t see that being a problem.

“It would also be nice to get a win over Shvetcov, who I haven’t beaten yet.

“It’s going to be a really long season and I’ve got a couple of important meetings in the summer to prepare for the World Championships.

“It was a really difficult decision not to do the 800m because I’d be defending my title.

“But even if I had done it in Doha I wouldn’t have got funding for it because it’s not going to be at Rio.

“I’ve got to look at the bigger picture so me and my coach decided I wouldn’t do it.”

Blake got his season underway in Dubai last month with victory in the 400m and a third place in the 100m.

Trips to Italy and Germany lie in store for Blake in June, while he also has the Anniversary Games to look forward to