Mahama Cho intends to repay the faith shown in him when he flies the flag for Great Britain in this weekend’s European Olympic qualification tournament in Istanbul. Team GB have already secured three quota places in three weight categories for this year’s Olympic Games in Rio through Jade Jones, Bianca Walkden and Lutalo Muhammad – the latter having won last month’s World Taekwondo Grand Prix final series in Mexico.
A fourth spot could be attained on Sunday if heavyweight Cho reaches the final of the +80kg weight division.
And after being chosen by GB Taekwondo as the one to lead the line, the 2015 US Open silver medallist intends to keep his cool and rise to the challenge ahead.
“I have read a lot of books and philosophies on how to get your mind right,” he told GB Taekwondo.
“To be able to control your chimp, as we call it, and to make sure the chimp doesn’t go AWOL.
“If 90 percent of your mind is right then anything is possible. But if the mind starts playing games it can work against you.
“But I have always had the mentality of ‘no retreat, no surrender’ and that’s what stands out and what I will be thinking when I go out to fight on Sunday.
“I am more excited than nervous. We have some fantastic players at the GB Academy and anyone could have been chosen for this qualification tournament.
“But the selectors chose me and I am really grateful for this opportunity. I have never been better prepared for a tournament in my life.
“I have given so much for this and I really hope I can do what needs to be done when I get out there and try to qualify for my country.”
The 26-year-old had just three days off over the holiday period in order to fine tune his preparations for this weekend’s event.
He was joined at GB Taekwondo’s new state of the art training facility in Manchester by Lyle Walker, Levi Goodridge and Tom Smith.
They all interrupted their own breaks to help him prepare alongside his coaches and their efforts had not gone unmissed by Cho.
“I have to thank the support of my team-mates who came back through the break and trained and sparred with me. I have been grateful to have them around,” he added.
“My coach, Nelson Miller, has become a friend and also a father figure. It’s good to have that relationship because we know when to be serious, know when we can laugh and joke.
“That communication only helps your trust and faith."
Sportsbeat 2016