Kevin Moore... full of confidence following 200m win in Georgia. Photo: Wally Galea

Kevin Moore has established himself as the country’s finest sprinter following a series of scorching record runs these past few months.

Having won back-to-back GSSE gold medals in the 400m, in 2011 and 2013, inevitably the Australia-based speedster was always associated with the one-lap race at track meets.

However, this year Moore, 23, proved that he can go fast in the shorter sprints as well following new national marks in both the 100m and 200m.

That not only made him the fastest Maltese runner this season but, more importantly, earned him a place in Team Malta for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, starting July 23.

Last month, Moore continued with the good work achieved so far this season when he became the first Maltese athlete to win a race at the European Team Championships in Tbilisi.

He breasted the tape first in the 200m, winning it in 21.06 seconds... a mere 0.02 seconds off the record he set in Geneva in June.

“Really, I can’t complain at the moment as everything’s going well for me,” Moore told The Sunday Times of Malta.

“Some may be surprised with my results lately but I have always favoured the 200m race over the 400m.

I’m really proud to be the holder of all three national records in the sprint events but I hope that I will be able to continue lowering my times

“Now, I’m really proud to be the holder of all three national records in the sprint events but I hope that I will be able to continue lowering my times.

“You know, I always want to go faster and faster.”

Moore said his 200m race in the European Team Championships came at the right moment.

“The race in Tbilisi was another high point for me this summer,” Moore, who takes care of his own technical preparation, said.

“I was really nervous before the start of the race and I didn’t have the best of starts. But, then I got myself into the groove and ran the rest of the distance strongly to end up a comfortable winner.

“Looking at the entry list I knew that I could do well but to actually win a race at this level when running against those from Cyprus, Georgia and Azerbaijan made it even more special.

“That result filled me with confidence. I want to train harder and, perhaps, go under the 21-second mark which is my next step now.”

In Glasgow, Moore is likely to be up against some of the best sprinters in the world.

Usain Bolt promised he will be there but it remains to be seen whether the Jamaican will be running sprints or just relays.

Moore is keeping his fingers crossed that he is drawn in the same heat of the London 2012 triple gold medallist.

“Racing against a great champion like Usain Bolt would be awesome,” Moore said.

“You won’t even dream of beating a guy like him but that kind of competition could only motivate the others to double their efforts and clock faster times.

“For sure, I don’t want to go there and get eliminated in the first heat. The final would be a great achievement... so that should be my target in Glasgow.”

In the meantime, Moore is planning to continue with his preparations for the Commonwealths and this weekend he is taking part in an athletics meeting in La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland.

“The Switzerland meet will be my final race before the Commonwealths. This is a crucial phase in my build-up,” Moore said.

“They’ve told me that it’s a fast track and there will be some top sprinters. I hope that will be the case as another fast time is what I really need ahead of the trip to Glasgow.”