Sarah Stevenson went under the knife in February to correct a cruciate ligament injury and has faced a race against time to be fit for London 2012.

The reigning world champion – who also received an MBE in February – says staying positive allowed her to win that race and earn selection in the 67kg category.

She said: “I just don’t allow myself to be negative.

“It has been a horrendous injury and it’s awful to be having surgery before the Olympics, you don’t want that.

“But I got it so what was I supposed to do – am I just going to sit in a corner and moan about it?

“I just can’t do that.”

Selectors kept faith with the Bentley fighter and she has praised the British Taekwondo staff for helping ensure she will be ready for her date with destiny on August 10.

She said: “The coaches, the psychologist, the strength and conditioning coaches, everyone is pulling together to get me towards where I need to be.

“We’re getting there now, we’re nearly there which is great.”

Stevenson has brushed off talk of being the pre-competition favourite but is determined to do all she can to bring the gold medal back to Doncaster.

She said: “If I win gold that will top everything I have ever achieved.

“But that might not happen because that’s the way sport is.

“Just because you are the best doesn’t mean you are going to win, but of course I will try like mad to win gold.”

Source: Doncaster Free Press

en.mastaekwondo.com

info@mastaekwondo.com

www.masTaekwondo.com