Chloe Jones already focussed on Brazil

By Niall Kelly

CHLOE JONES admits she will be looking to her senior teammates for advice in her quest to make an impact at the 2016 Rio games.

YOUNG HOPEFUL: Chloe Jones has her sights set on a place in Rio in 2016

Jones, who looks unlikely to feature at the 2012 games next summer, will move up to the senior squad next year and will be training amongst Olympic hopefuls.

The Hardy Spicer Judoka has recently returned to training after suffering a dislocated elbow, which put her out of action for three months forcing her to miss the Junior European and World Championships.

However, the 18-year-old fighter emphasised the importance of living in a judo environment and the advice she receives at training camps.

"Whenever we go into camp and the senior lot are there they always help you. All you have to do is ask them," said Jones.

"They're always saying ‘do this, do that'. They do help a huge amount and if they help you then they are helping themselves, because they are going to be pushing themselves.

"The main thing I've learnt is not the give in. Because they're so much stronger, if someone tries break off your hold, you try your hardest not give in and they really helped me with that.

"My progression as an athlete is coming along nicely. I've recently moved over to Birmingham to do more training and I could tell after a week that my training, technique and fitness have improved.

"I can really see the benefit. Living in a judo environment has helped me out massively.

"This is my last year in the junior age band, so I'll be going to senior next year. By the time the next Olympics come around, I would have been fighting for three and a bit years. That's the perfect time really.

"They've already decided who's going in the weights for next summer and I haven't really been in the senior circuit. You've got to be in there for at least a year to fully understand how the seniors fight.

"It's better for me to wait and go to the next one, if it's possible, than go to 2012.

"I feel like I'm on the road to a good recovery after my injury.

"I've got the GB trials in January so I've been training pretty much full-time, it's been mad.

"Whenever I'm not working, I'm doing some kind of training, like running or technique work."

Lloyds TSB Local Heroes, in partnership with SportsAid, provides support and funding to 344 emerging athletes all the way to London 2012 and beyond.  Follow the future stars of TeamGB and ParalympicsGB at: www.lloydstsb.com/localheroes