Hicks won the 2010 Suffolk Sports Personality of the year award

Newmarket's Ben Hicks believes his recent success has left him shouldering the expectancy of winning an Olympic rowing medal at London 2012.

Hicks claimed the open single scull gold at the British Championships and silver in the Commonwealth Championships earlier this year.

The 25-year-old, who started rowing two years ago, told BBC Radio Suffolk: "In all honesty, I feel the pressure.

"But that's one of the things that drives me."

He added: "I got into the sport two years ago and wasn't really certain how things would go but it's gone fantastically."

The Isle of Ely Rowing Club competitor made the switch from the pool to the boat as part of the GB Start Programme, which fast-tracks young athletes into new sports.

We've got lots and lots of mileage and lots lots of distance during the winter months Ben Hicks

Now Hicks, who won the Suffolk Sports Personality of the Year award on Monday, is targeting an appearance at the Olympics in his home country.

"It's a very big year for me, I've got to basically get into the Great Britain squad by next April," he said.

"We're in a phase where we've got lots and lots of mileage and lots lots of distance during the winter months.

"It's not glorious this time of year, it's now time to get on and do that foundation work that will build performances of the future."

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