LACHLAN Moorhead is hoping to build on a breakthrough year by competing at the highest level more consistently and closing in on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 22-year-old judo player from Penistone won the Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2022 and moved into the world’s top 20.
What are his aims for this year?
He said: “I want to secure my place in the top 20, and make sure I am in a good position to qualify for the Olympics.
“I’ve said for the last four years that everything is geared towards Paris.
“It’s what I am dedicating my life to.
“But it’s just about getting better all the time. I feel like I get better every month.
“It will be very difficult but I think I will get there.”
Lachlan’s biggest event of the year is likely to be the World Championships in Doha, Qatar in May.
He competed in that event for the first time last year, reaching the second round but losing to the defending champion. He said: “Hopefully I can do better this time. I just want to build on what I did last year. People know about me and that I am coming through.
“I want to start beating the top guys then hopefully it will be me who is the world champion at some point soon.”
Moorhead is focusing more on what he can improve than what he has already achieved.
“It’s quite common in elite athletes not to stop and smell the roses.
“But I am happy with the Commonwealths and some of the fighters I beat last year. I just want more.
“I need to find consistency because I have some great days and some days that aren’t that great. I am incorporating new elements like sports psychology.”
