For a swimmer who has climbed the podium at the some of the biggest events in world swimming, it may be a surprise to hear Hannah Russell talking of anything other than medals.
But ahead of next month’s IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow, the 18-year-old from Chertsey is much more interested in the bigger picture than just clinching titles.
Russell earned European and world gold medals in the S12 100m backstroke event over the last two years, as well as securing three gongs at London 2012.
That tally may be one Russell will add to when more than 580 of the planet’s top swimmers descend on Glasgow between July 13 and July 19 – but she insists there are other priorities in the pool this time around.
“I think my main goal for worlds is to try and improve on what I am doing in training and about seeing those small improvements work,” the University of Salford student said.
“It is all stepping stones looking towards Rio next year, so I would love to go and get personal bests in Glasgow.
“If I do what I have been doing in training and swim as I can then hopefully I am capable of my quickest times.
“It is not all about medals, at this stage it is all about those small improvements – as long as I am getting to grips with those then I can build on those performances and they will make a big difference.
“I never like to focus on medals. I always try and focus on myself, making sure I can be the best I can be – that is the aim.
“As always, going back to swim in front of a home crowd like at London in 2012 will be an amazing experience – it is a dream come true to compete at a home event like that.
“I genuinely can’t wait for it. I remember in one of my main races at the Paralympics, in the last 50m the crowd was rising and cheering me home, and it really does help.”
Whether Russell is to claim another title or not, the teenager is delighted with how her recent training has been going, having moved to do her work at the National Performance Centre in Manchester a year ago.
It is a transition that Russell has found little difficulty adjusting to – indeed, she admits it has suited her perfectly.
“Training here at the Performance Centre is a lot tougher than I was used to, but the gains and the outcomes of it all are amazing,” she added.
“I feel so much stronger as a result – this is as good as I have ever felt at the moment.
“And working with the others in the team is great. Everyone has the same goals moving forward, so training together the atmosphere in the pool is special – it’s nice to have that team ethic.
“We’ve got Scottish Nationals in the next week so that gives me another racing opportunity before Glasgow – I’m looking forward to one more chance to see how everything is going.
“But I’m feeling really happy in the pool, I feel in a good place and I just can’t wait for the big stage of World Champs.”
To support the British Para-Swimming Team at the IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow get your tickets at www.ticketmaster.co.uk/glasgow2015