‘I want to be remembered as the greatest heavyweight’

Q&A Bianca Walkden

How would you describe your year amid the pandemic?

Even though it wasn’t the way I planned it, it has shown the world about the little things in life and we’ve learnt to slow down and appreciate our families more, the little moments.

Have the last five years all been about building towards a second shot at Olympic gold?

Definitely. The first thing I said after was ‘I’ll win in Tokyo’. I was thinking of gold straight away. That desire has not left me.

Have you been able to compete at all?

In February 2020 and then in November – it was the longest gap between competitions I have ever had since I’ve been in the sport. We could spar but that just wasn’t the same.

You live with team-mate Jade Jones (pictured), the double Olympic champion. How have you adapted your training?

We changed the garage at our apartment into a mini taekwondo gym. It was crazy how we managed to continue our routine but from home. After a while, I just wanted to get outside and do something different. It was really hard but we were lucky to be able to do anything at all.

Didn’t you initially plan to take a break after the Tokyo Games?

I wanted to travel a little bit, take some time out. I had this plan but now everything’s different and you have to go with it in the moment. If I want to win Paris in 2024 as well, there’s obviously a year less in that Olympic

cycle. Everything’s changed.

What’s next for you?

We’re hoping we can get three competitions in before we go to the Olympics. We’ve got the European Championships next week. After that, we will try to get a few more competitions under our belt before the Games begin.

What will your legacy be like?

If I can leave the sport being the greatest female heavyweight in taekwondo, then that’s a great achievement for me. Hopefully I can prove I am one of the best.

Is Jade the same?

We always laugh that I have all the world championships medals (three golds) and she has the Olympic ones. We just need each other’s!

■ Bianca Walkden is working with Purplebricks to encourage the nation to get behind Team GB on their journey to Tokyo, with the same amazing home support as London 2012. Visit @PurplebricksUK. To enter the draw to receive one of 2,020 limited edition prints, visit www.purplebricks.co.uk