Weightlifter Perdue plotting assault on Commonwealth Games

WEIGHTLIFTER Natasha Perdue is a woman on a mission this year, gunning for Commonwealth Games medals as her preparations for London 2012 heat up.

ON A MISSION: Natasha Perdue enjoyed her Commonwealth Games debut four years ago but insists she means business this time around (Getty Images)

Perdue, whose father Terry went to the Olympics in Mexico City and Munich in 1968 and 1972, got a first taste of international competition at the Commonwealth Games in 2006.

The 34-year-old is the first to admit she was woefully under-prepared for her debut in Melbourne, but still came away with fifth in the 69kg category.

But after moving to Leeds to concentrate on training full-time, Perdue is adamant she won't be an also-ran at this year's Commonwealths in India in October.

"The Commonwealths were great and I had a great time out there but it wasn't anything for me, and I don't mean that in a bad way," said Perdue.

"Everything happened so quickly and I knew I wasn't at the level where I could get a medal, so I didn't know what to expect and just went there and was just happy to compete.

"I will have a very different focus heading to India. I want to be in contention for a medal and not just going there for the experience, so things will be a lot different.

"When the London 2012 announcement was made I didn't think it was realistic at all but I got my head down and it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I want to take."

Perdue now spends her time training at Leeds Metropolitan University. But with a dearth of British female weightlifters, she is forced to train on her own.

She was Britain's sole female representative at the World Championships in South Korea last year, where she finished 17th.

And while admitting the journey to London 2012 looks to be a lonely one, Perdue insists nothing will stop her from her taking centre stage in two years' time.

"I have only been in Leeds for a few months and it is all new for me," said Perdue. "I have had to walk away from my life, but with the opportunities in front of me it was a decision I had to make.

"I think having gone from pretty much an amateur, so to speak, to a full-time professional is a massive step up and I will need some help.

"But I am getting all the help from the guys in Leeds and I am working on my weaknesses with their help."