Big things are expected of Team GB judo hopeful Ashley McKenzie at this summer's inaugural European Games in Baku.
The 25-year-old former Big Brother contestant won a gold medal for England at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, adding to the bronze medal that he collected at the European Judo Championships the previous year.
However, the Londoner recently suffered a setback when he was knocked out in the first round of The World Masters in Morocco.
With a matter of weeks left until he flies off to Azerbaijan, Sports Mole had a quick chat with McKenzie to see how his preparation for the tournament is going.
What are your expectations heading into Baku?
"I'm hoping to get a medal; that's what everyone will be hoping to do. I've got a European medal already so, for me, it's definitely trying to get gold or get a medal at least. It'll be important building up to Rio and for Team GB, so hopefully I can perform to my best, and if I perform to my best I know that I can medal."
Considering your past success, do you think that there is a bit of a target on your head at tournaments these days?
"Of course. I think it's a big target. If you start winning medals and performing to the best that you can, people are going to start expecting more from me. I think it's just about doing my thing on the day and getting everything right up to Baku and then onto Rio. So, yeah, there's a lot of pressure on me and I'm one of the only people going to Baku that's won a European medal. Pressure can help you sometimes, though, so I can try to use that pressure to my advantage."
What are your plans for before and after Baku?
"On Friday I go to Mongolia for a few days then I've got the Hungary Grand Prix. I'll have another two weeks rest and then I'll go to Baku."
How was your recent experience at the World Masters in Morocco? You were knocked out in the first round, so you must be pretty disappointed...
"I felt I was a bit harshly refereed, but you can only make your own luck. I could have done better. The World Masters is a massive event and I've got another massive event coming up in Baku, so hopefully that experience will help me go back with my coach and realise what I did wrong. You've got to take the positives."
Does the fact that the upcoming European Games are a bit unknown affect your training in any way?
"Nothing's 100% certain so you've just got to adapt to it and do the best that I can. Only when it comes to it will I know if I've trained properly."
