Fresh from helping Team GB to relay gold Martyn Walton says it’s all systems go as the young swimmer is set for his first foray into individual competition during Thursday’s busy day of action at the Baku Aquatics Centre.
The youngster is part of a 24-strong swimming squad at the European Games and got his tournament started with the 4x100m freestyle relay gold on Tuesday.
Walton has previous at multi-sport events having taken part in last year’s Youth Olympics in Nanjing and he is in the midst of a hectic summer of competition.
The 17-year-old will head to the World Junior Championships later in the year but is determined to make a splash in Baku as he looks to establish himself as one of the country’s best.
“Baku is a big occasion and a great experience for me. I hope I can step up and perform when it matters,” said Walton.
“I’ve got the World Junior Championships in August too so that’s two international meets quite close together.
“I want to gain as much experience as possible as it’s all building towards making that step up to the seniors.
“I like to swim a lot of events, I find it’s better to be busy. Rio might be a bit too soon for me but Tokyo 2020 is firmly on my radar.”
Walton will be joined in the 100m freestyle by Daniel Speers, Cameron Kurle and Duncan Scott while elsewhere Holly Hibott and Madeleine Crompton go in the 400m freestyle.
Away from the pool the fencing competition enters its second day with Natalia Sheppard set to compete in the individual foil.
And it is crunch time for Nicola Adams and Qais Ashfaq who will both look for a spot in the final after the pair guaranteed themselves bronze each with victories on Monday.
Ashfaq will take on Dzmitry Asanau in the men’s bantamweight division while the impressive Adams goes at flyweight against Turkey’s Elif Coskun – with the Olympic champion in bullish mood about her chances of coming home with gold.
“I’m here for gold, I want the gold and I am hoping I can make history again and bring it back to Britain and that’s what I hope to do,” she said.
Team GB at Baku 2015: Day 12 Schedule
Boxing Event: Women’s flyweight semi-final (48-51kg) 14:00 BST – Nicola Adams v Elif Coskun (TUR) Event: Men’s bantamweight semi-final (56kg) 15:45 BST – Qais Ashfaq v Dzmitry Asanau Where to watch: Live on BT Sport 2 from 13:55 and live online at www.Baku2015.com
Fencing Event: Women’s individual foil pool round 06:30 BST – Natalia Sheppard Where to watch: Live on BT Sport 2 from 04:55 BST, continued on ESPN from 14:25 and live online at www.Baku2015.com
Swimming Event: Men’s 100m freestyle 05:30 BST – Daniel Speers, Cameron Kurle, Duncan Scott, Martyn Walton Event: Women’s 400m freestyle 05:45 BST – Holly Hibbott, Madeleine Crompton Event: Men’s 200m butterfly 06:15 BST – Kyle Chisholm, Joe Litchfield Event: Women’s 200m breaststroke 06:29 BST – Abbie Wood, Emma Cain, Georgia Coates, Layla Black Event: Men’s 200m Individual Medley 06:46 BST – Martyn Walton, Jarvis Parkinson, Joe Hulme Event: Men’s 100m backstroke final 13:30 BST – Joe Hulme, Luke Greenbank Event: Women’s 200m butterfly final 13:58 BST – Amelia Clynes, Holly Hibbott Event: Women’s 100m freestyle final 14:22 BST – Darcy Deakin, Georgia Coates Event: Men’s 200m breaststroke final 14:27 BST – Luke Davies, Charlie Attwood Event: Women’s 200m backstroke final 14:41 BST – Rebecca Sherwin Men’s 1500m freestyle fastest heat 15:16 BST – Tom Derbyshire Where to watch: Live on BT Sport 1 from 05:25, continued at 13:25 and live online at www.Baku2015.com