Bochmann eyes Adlington’s scalp

Rebecca Adlington was a relative unknown when she won two gold medals in Beijing, while her good friend and bronze medallist Joanne Jackson of Northallerton was equally unheralded.

Anne Bochmann heads into the final months of her maiden Olympic challenge hoping to have a similiar impact.

“I’m hoping that I can be competitive with the two of them,” says the 18-year-old City of Leeds swimmer, whose fourth-place finish in the 400m at the 2010 Commonwealth Games suggests she has substance to back up her words.

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“Obviously they’ve got so much experience and they are really good, well-rounded athletes who have achieved some absolutely amazing things but I am hoping that, with a bit of luck, I’ll be able to challenge them and hopefully all the hard work I have put in will really pay off.

“The Olympics was always going to be my goal, wherever that was going to be, but the fact that it is in London makes it such an amazing opportunity.

“I remember watching Athens on the television when it first really hit home that I really wanted to be part of something that big, to be there competing.

“To compete at any Olympics is amazing for any athlete because that’s what you work for and aim towards, but with it being a home Olympics, that makes it even bigger and even better.”

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Based in Leeds since the age of 16, Norwich-born Bochmann moved north to continue training with the coach she has had since she was 12, Dave Calleja.

Despite a training schedule requiring her to consume 3,500-4,000 calories per day to counteract how many she burns off in a rigorous training regime, she really enjoys being in Yorkshire.

Bochmann says: “I love it up here. Obviously Norwich will always be home, but Yorkshire is a really nice county and I train with a really good group of people who are all really supportive of me.

“I also train with paralympic medalist Claire Cashmore which is really good as she has been there and done it.”

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With the 400m freestyle her main focus, Bochmann also hopes to compete in the 200m individual medley.

To ensure her spot at London 2012, Bochmann must achieve a set time at the British Gas LC Championships from March 3-10, as well as achieve a top-two finish in the finals.

If she fails there, the remaining places for individual events will be filled following the British Gas ASA Nationals from June 20-23 – something Bochmann is hoping to avoid.

Despite suffering from back injuries in the past Bochmann remains confident of sealing her place. She says: “Obviously that’s something I am always cautious of, trying to make sure my back always stays in one piece. At the moment I have no problems, so hopefully, fingers crossed, it will be okay and be a smooth run.”

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Bochmann took time out from training to talk to children at Salendine Nook High School, Huddersfield. The visit was courtesy of the Wells Foundation’s ‘Athletes 4 Schools Scheme’, which aims to encourage greater participation among young people in sports. Founder Barrie Wells sponsors a host of athletes who go into schools to deliver a range of workshops and talks.

Bochmann said: “I remember when I was in school – you don’t forget visits like this. I had some amazing opportunities. If I can help them to experience the same opportunities then great.”