Full of confidence following last year’s medal-winning exploits in Glasgow, Sheffield swimmer Rebecca Turner is desperate to return to the podium once again at next month’s World Championships in Russia.
Turner capped off a Commonwealth Games to remember 12 months ago by winning silver and bronze as part of the 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relay teams.
They were her first senior international medals and added to the European and World Junior podium finishes back in 2007 and 2008.
Despite the success Turner, who swam at the London 2012 Olympics, has made sure to push on this season and put in a solid showing at the British Championships in April.
It is in the team events where her main focus lies currently and with the opportunity to bid for medals in both the 4x100m and 4x200m relays when competition gets underway in Kazan on August 2, the 22-year-old is full of confidence.
“I’m feeling ready positive at the moment. We’ve got a really good chance in the relays, especially in the 4x200m relay,” she said. “I think we can really push hard and it would be absolutely crazy if we could do that.
“For me, getting those medals at last year’s Commonwealth Games was great but this would be taking it up another level.
“It was great in Glasgow, the team did really well and it was a great experience having my family and friends there watching.
“When you are part of a relay team, it’s special. You are cheering each other on and the atmosphere is always great.”
Great Britain will go into the competition buoyed by performances last year, which included them topping the medal table at the European Championships in Berlin.
And Turner believes whatever the outcome in Russia, they are well on track for Olympic success at Rio 2016.
“The results show that British Swimming has been improving and moving things forward and that we are now right up there,” she added.
“We had a great Europeans last year and it’s all heading in the right direction for Rio. I’m looking forward to Rio, I can’t wait for it.”