Taekwondo starlet Abigail Stones is hoping some words of wisdom from London 2012 champion Jade Jones will help her star at the Youth Olympic Games.
When Stones first went along to watch her brother do taekwondo she knew she wouldn’t be going back to dance classes any time soon.
And the 15-year-old has never looked back and is now preparing to represent Team GB at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, the competition getting underway on August 16.
Stones has already had a year to remember after winning -42kg gold at the World Junior Taekwondo Championships in Taipei in March.
And while she admits the Youth Olympic Games will be the biggest challenge of her career, she does have friends in high places which should make the adventure easier.
Jones won Youth Olympic Games gold in Singapore four years ago and Stones says the London 2012 champion has given her a few words of wisdom that can help her follow suit.
“It means a lot to me to be picked because I have worked so hard for a lot of years to get to this point,” she said.
“When I was younger I did dance classes and my brother did taekwondo. So one day I went along and had a look and straight away I thought ‘I like this, I want to do it’.
“It’s a bit different from dancing but now I couldn’t imagine doing that – I think I’ll be kicking people in the head for a long time to come.
“I have trained with Jade Jones who is amazing to have around and she went to the Youth Olympics so that’s a big help.
“She has told me all about it and what to expect so I feel a bit more prepared for it now.
“And having her there and seeing how she trains makes me want to do the same and hopefully win gold at the Olympics one day.”
Despite admitting that she is looking to savour the whole experience, Stones also insists that when it comes to competing she will be completely focused on making the podium.
“I hope I can go there now and perform to my best and bring a medal home,” she added. “I have never experienced anything like this before so it’s going to be something completely new.
“But I need to go there and make sure I stay completely focused and not get caught up in the excitement.
“If I am thinking about anything other than the competition then I won’t be at my best.
“I want to take each fight as it comes and not get ahead of myself because they are all going to be tough.”
© Sportsbeat 2014