Sky Academy Sports Scholarships: Holly Bleasdale makes Beijing number one priority

It may still be more than eight months away but Holly Bleasdale has her sights set firmly on Beijing and the World Athletics Championships.

The Sky Academy Sports Scholar has not competed outdoors since 2012 as she has been nursing a back problem but, as the build up to Rio 2016 intensifies, she is determined to put herself back in the mix for medals next summer.

Having undergone back surgery earlier this year, Bleasdale is back in training and easing her way back to full fitness.

“It’s been going really well. I’ve had no awareness or sensation in my back for quite a while now. I’ve just been taking it nice and steady,” she told Sky Sports.

“I don’t want to push it after the injuries I’ve had in the past so I’ve just been taking it easy. Everything is going well; I’m sprinting, feeling strong, fit and quick.”

After almost a year out, the Cardiff-based pole vaulter could return to competitive action early in the New Year when the indoor season begins. However, she maintains that anything that may put her participation in Beijing in doubt will not be considered.

Difficult decisions

“It’s difficult really because we’ve got an indoor season coming up and an outdoors and I’m in the process of making hard decisions on what is going to be my main aim,” Bleasdale said.

“The thing I know for certain that I’m not going to do anything that jeopardises my (chance of) success in Beijing. I want to go there and win a medal; deep down I know that I can win if I’m fit, strong and healthy as I’m fully prepared to be.

I’ll keep everyone updated with what my plans are but Beijing is the main focus

“That means making some sacrifices, taking it a day a time. I’ve had a really tough time with injuries in the last couple of years but I’m in a really good place right now. I’m really fit and healthy and I don’t want to jeopardise that so I’m taking it a week at a time and I’ll keep everyone updated with what my plans are but Beijing is the main focus.”

One such sacrifice could be passing on the chance to defend her European Indoor Championships title. It is two years since Bleasdale triumphed in Gothenburg and while she is keen to retain her crown, she has made no guarantees that she will be in Prague to attempt to do so.

“Obviously, I won it two years ago and I’d love to defend my title but it will depend on if I’m in the right shape, the right health,” she added.

“Everyone in athletics knows how hard it is to keep fit and avoid injury, especially after having had a back injury over the past year. All I know is that Beijing is where I want to be successful.”