YOG 2010: Martin into last eight but must now do things the hard way

From Tom Reynolds, Sportsbeat, in Singapore

 CANOEIST Andrew Martin booked his place in tomorrow's quarter-finals at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore - but he must raise his game if he is to be in the medal mix-up.

UP AGAINST IT: Andrew Martin advances to the last eight of the slalom competition but faces a tough route to the medal mix-up (Singapore Press Holdings)

The 17-year-old advance through Tuesday's slalom time trial as the seventh fastest in the field before seeing off Germany's Tom Liebscher in the last 16.

It was sweet revenge for Martin, who was beaten in the sprint competition - his weaker event - by the German last week, but his time of 1:36.96 minutes was among the slowest in the field.

That means that for today's quarter-final, Martin can be assured of a tough draw against one of the fastest qualifiers - but he is convinced a slight tweak to his technique will see him all the way onto the podium.

"It was a good day's qualifying. It was pretty warm earlier on but it didn't take too long to get used to," he said.

"When I came here I wanted to get through to the last eight so I'm pleased I've done that.

"But I don't see any reason why I can't challenge for a medal.

"My time was a bit down on some of the faster guys, but I took a bit of a gamble with some parts of my technique and it didn't really work.

"But if I can change that in the next races I think I can make up the times and hopefully I can get a medal."

And while Martin admits that now he must overcome the cream of the crop in Singapore to even get the chance to go for a medal - he insists he will not lose sleep over who he might face.

"The quarter-final will be the hardest one because I'll be facing one of the quickest guys but with the changes I'm going to make I'm confident I can do well," he added.

"There are couple of guys here who have won medals at the world juniors and European juniors so it's going to be tough but I know what I need to do so I'm not feeling too worried."

  Lloyds TSB, proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games. Visit LloydsTSB.com/London2012