Scared of losing, stoked by training – Bianca Walkden would simply “die for the sport” when it comes to taekwondo.
The two-time world champion is back on the European mats this week, in Kazan, Russia, with retaining her crown the number one target for the year, two years after achieving Olympic bronze in Rio.
The 26-year-old has lost only once in competition since Rio 2016 and the heavyweight fighter says picking up a European Championship gold is her immediate priority - despite not feeling on top of her game.
“If I could pick one gold medal to win this year, it would be to try and get gold in the European Championships,” said Walkden. “To me it is a really high priority.
“I don’t feel 100 per cent, but I know if I go out there and give everything I can, do the best I can, hopefully I come away with triple European Championships. Fingers crossed I can do that.
“My target is to win, and I wouldn’t be happy with anything apart from gold, but I know I have to set mini targets - physically or mentally taking it round by round.
“I can’t underestimate anyone, everyone is a threat. I think that that helps me more. It makes me step up.”
While continental success is the 2017 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award nominee’s short-term target, her quest for Olympic redemption stands out as her ultimate goal.
Walkden, who in 2017 became the first fighter to hold all four grand prix trophies at the same time, lost to eventual champion Zheng Shuyin by a golden point in the 2016 Olympic semi-finals.
And whilst the Liverpool fighter was happy to be on the podium, the thought of missing out on gold again drives the +73kg heavyweight every day.
“I don’t want to be known for just getting a bronze,” said Walkden. “I know what I do in training every day and I know what I can do - I want to leave a legacy behind.
“The bronze medal doesn’t haunt me, but I know what I want. In two years I have got to go out there and I might not get what I want, but I know I am going to give absolutely everything I can to try and change that colour to gold.
“I get scared of losing. I don’t mind fighting, I don’t mind the training, I put all the work in, I would die for the sport.
“I have snapped both my legs and I just keep coming back. If I got knocked down, I would come back again. That’s not the fear, it is the fear of not going out there and trying my best and losing.”
Walkden will not be the only Olympic medallist flying the British flag in Russia, with two-time champion Jade Jones also set to compete.
The 25-year-old Welsh fighter shot to taekwondo fame after claiming gold at London 2012 before becoming the youngest British athlete of all time to retain her Olympic title in Rio four years later.
The 16-strong team also includes Scottish teenager Jordyn Smith, who won the junior title in Tunisia, and Wales' Lauren Williams.
Sportsbeat 2018