WILLESDEN’S Ashley McKenzie has vowed to be at the top of the podium when it counts most – at London 2012.

McKenzie has already made his mark on the world stage this year, winning a World Cup gold medal last month in Warsaw when he overcame Armenia’s Hovhannes Davtyan in the under-60kg final.

The 21-year-old’s medal haul also includes an English Senior Open title, German European Cup gold and the European Under-23 crown.

But with the London Olympics now less than 500 days away, the former Willesden Judo Club star (pictured) is taking nothing for granted as he bids for the biggest prize of all.

“The win in Poland was fantastic and I am pretty happy with everything right now,” said McKenzie. “Everything went according to plan because I went there thinking I could win it and obviously that is what happened.

“That shows that I am course and on target for London 2012 and I know that, if I can keep all the excellent support around me, then I will keep going strong. Everything between now and then will be stepping stones towards it.

“London 2012 is always in the back of my mind. I am a London boy, so I am desperate to show what I can do on the biggest stage of them all, in front of my home crowd, and hopefully win gold.”

McKenzie now turns his attentions towards next month’s European Championships in Turkey, with the aim of converting his under-23 title into senior success.

And, with just one under-60kg spot open to a male Great Britain judoka at London 2012, McKenzie is anxious to try and steal a march on his rivals in Istanbul.

“I am heading to the Europeans after winning the under-23 Europeans and I am keen to show I have improved and belong with the big boys,” he added.

“There is a bit of rivalry in the GB squad, because obviously only one guy from each weight class can go to London 2012, and I am determined to make that one person me.

“But I am not too worried about the other GB guys. If you only think about people from your own country then you are only going to go so far – you have to prove you can cut it with the world’s best.”

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