Army Taekwondo Athlete Dreams Of Team GB Success

An Army Taekwondo star is working hard to try and represent Team GB.

Private Sophie Bladek is a reservist who serves with 101 Battallion REME and was nominated for the Rising Star title at the Army Sports Awards.

She has been in top form over the past year and she hopes that will translate to national success.

"I’d like to take it as high as I can," said Pte Bladek.

"If I can win Nationals this year, that boosts my hopes and dreams of maybe going to Manchester and representing Team GB.

"Getting on the talented athlete scheme that the Army offers would really boost my chances of getting there too.

"Over the past 12 months, I’ve currently got 25 golds and something like seven silvers and eight bronzes so it’s going pretty good.

"I’m not going to lie. It can be easy to lose track of the medals. I have got a few."

Pte Bladek is seen a major player for the Army at the Inter Services Championships later this month and she expects a tough test against the Navy and RAF.

She said: “I’ve met some of my Navy rivals before and they are very talented. I know that they do spend a lot of time away on ship. That could really affect their training which is a shame for them.

“Obviously with me being a reservist, I have a bit more control over what training I do and I really do put a lot of effort into it.

“The RAF have turned up with a really good team last year so we will see what they bring.”

Pte Bladek has spent time organising the championships but she is not letting that affect her training.

She said: “To be honest, I’ve been so caught up with the organising and the admin of putting the event together.

“I have put a lot of time and effort into my training... my social life as a consequence has died a death.

“Every opportunity I get, I’m putting in a lot of time and effort. That’s what you have to do if you want to win gold.

"If you are not aiming as high as you possibly can, why bother in the first place?"