Oates trains at Kumo Judo Club in Thetford

Norfolk judo player Colin Oates says he will not think about London 2012 until he wins a major championship medal.

The 27-year-old from North Lopham heads into September's world championships in Japan still looking to make a mark on the international scene.

He told BBC Radio Norfolk: "If I won a world medal, then [the 2012 Olympics] would become a big focus.

"I'd think, 'hang on a minute, I can do something'. But I want those other medals first."

Oates appeared at the world championships in 2007 and 2009, but failed to make an impact at either.

Tokyo on 9 September is, by his own admission, a make-or-break tournament for the British under-66kg number one.

"I want to set myself a target of medals. You shouldn't be in the event unless you're targeting them," he said.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version