Webley keeping everything crossed for unlikely Olympic selection

Posted: Tuesday 22nd May 2012 | 18:52

RISING taekwonda Joshua Webley admits he has everything crossed as the decision on which lucky athletes will represent Team GB at the Olympic Games is made.

The 20-year-old burst onto the scene two years ago, with bronze medals in both the 2010 National Championships and the Commonwealth Championships in the -68kg category.

But after impressing in the Olympic test event at the ExCeL in December - reaching the quarter-final - Webley's increasing chances of starring at London 2012 were struck a blow when he was injured at the start of the year.

And while he concedes he is a long shot for the Olympics now, he hopes his past successes would influence the selectors' decision.

"Unfortunately my chances have been hurt and it was such bad timing because I was looking to build on doing well at the test event," he said.

"It is gutting but there is still a chance I could be picked so until it is over I will hope it could be me who is selected.

"I think all the guys the selectors look at have similar achievements - some older and some newer so I think we are all in with a chance.

"Competing at the test event gave me a taste of a home crowd and I want it even more now - you can hear the roar for your name and there is nothing like it.

"But even if London isn't my Games I am a young man and there is still Rio."

While Webley's odds of competing at the Games have lengthened he will certainly be involved after being selected as just one of just 8,000 people to carry the London 2012 Torch courtesy of Lloyds TSB.

He will carry the Flame through Ealing on July 24 and insists he can't wait to be involved in the summer celebration.

"It is going to be amazing, I'm up to about 50 people who have said they are definitely going to come and watch me," he added.

"My mum, Debbie, nominated me without telling me - if she had said I probably would have told her not to worry about it but I am very glad she did it now.

"I didn't expect to get this far because there are loads of athletes out there trying to be the best but when I was told there were a million thoughts going through my head about what it would be like.

"It is going to be so close to the Games so the atmosphere is going to be unreal. No one wants to be the one who drops it but you mustn't over think it - you just need to enjoy it."

As the only National Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Lloyds TSB is bringing the excitement of the Games and Olympic Flame closer to you. Find out what we're doing in your community and who is carrying the Flame at lloydstsb.com/olympictorchrelay