THE four years [since the last Olympics] have gone by very quick. Iโm looking forward to it now. Obviously Iโve got more experience now.
Up until 2015 I hadnโt been anywhere. My Olympic Games was the first major Iโd ever been to. Luckily I took my chance and I did okay. It was more of an experience. Now Iโve done two World championships, the European championships, Commonwealth Games.
Iโd been watching the Cuban, Yosbany Veitia, for years. Heโs been around since 2012 and I remember watching him at the Olympic Games at 49kgs.
I saw him at the 2015 Worlds, saw him at Rio 2016 and then I saw him win the World championships in 2017. Then I move up to 52kgs and I get drawn against him [at the 2019 World championships]. To beat a Cuban youโve got to be rough with them. Thatโs what I tried to do and it worked out.
The Cubans are alright. When they lose they take it on the chin and theyโre respectful. I had a photo with him after, and I donโt really do that often. But he was one of my favourite fighters as an amateur.
It was tough to take to then lose to the Frenchman [Billal Bennama] who I was expected to win against. But heโs a good fighter.
Heโs a European, these are the European qualifiers, so France will be there. Iโve learned. Iโve got to go there now, qualify now and hopefully I can get a bit of revenge on him.
We [the GB team] are all top fighters and all capable of going to the Olympics and all capable of getting medals.
At the European Games last year Rob [McCracken] asked me if I wanted to go at 49kgs. But I said thereโs no point, I know the way itโs going to go I might as well go up now and built into a proper 52kgs. I got a bronze there and picked for the Worlds and did what I did there.
Itโs worked out alright for me. I feel strong at it. I feel better than I did at 49kgs. My strength has come up with me. Iโve just got to carry on.
We break down the full GB Olympic team here