Rose wants to fight the world (From Bucks Free Press)

Rose wants to fight the world

6:11am Friday 16th June 2006 in

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HIGH WYCOMBE Paralympian Ian Rose warmed up for next month's IBSA World Championships with a silver medal performance in the USA.

The Great Britain judo star was competing in the Northglenn Judo Championships in Colorado where the British Visually Impaired squad competed against more than 250 sighted players from around the US.

Rose was pleased with his display at the tournament and cannot wait to get stuck into the World Championships.

He said: "It's been important for me recently to stay focused on the job. The competition in the US was a great warm-up event.

"It was an important event to see what level I was at but at the same time prove to myself that I am still capable of achieving things.

"It's given me some added confidence and now it's all down to preparation."

The 34-year old was included in an experienced squad to travel to Brommat in France for the Championships which take place from 29 June- 3 July.

The squad will travel to France knowing that this is the first of three vital qualifying events for the Beijing Paralympic Games and Rose is eager to get going.

He said: "I'm very excited. It's another chance, another big stage and yet another big event which I can't wait to get involved with.

"These three events culminate with the qualifying for the Beijing games and that's the peak for any seriously minded athlete. I'm hoping to stay clear of injuries and stay on the right track for those games with a good competition in France."

With fingers crossed to stay clear of injury, Rose was clear with his aims when it came to the Championships.

"The goal is to be World Champion again. I was World Champion in 1995 and I think it's time I won back my crown, it's what I'm aiming for.

"I feel ready, I'm fighting fit and I'm waiting for the challenge. I love judo as a sport, not just to keep fit and I feel this is my time to deliver as I'm getting older, these opportunities won't be around forever.