JUDO ace Francesca Steggall from Sidcup is completely single minded in her approach to her sport; eschewing heroes and role-models in the pursuit of success.

For a 19-year-old, the Dartford Judo Club member’s philosophy is succinct and well-formed; “I don’t really have a role-model” she says with a modest laugh: “I want to achieve my own goals and reach my fullest potential. If I look at someone else I might not get where I want to be.”

Francesca self-belief is well-founded, as you might expect from a champion who holds national titles at junior, cadet and senior level in the women’s under 48kg division.

In 2009 she became one of a handful of judoka selected to join an elite training programme run by the British Judo Association. This allows Francesca to train three times a day, five days a week, at the world class centre in Dartford.

But despite being nurtured as one of our best medal hopes in the sport she is realistic about her prospects: “To take part in the Games would be amazing. It is the final part of what you train for everyday so to reach that final goal would be amazing.

“But it difficult to say at this point if I am in line for the Games or if I will win a medal because judo is so skillful that everyone is changing and developing as the time goes on.

The former pupil of Cleve Park School, Sidcup, added: “Closer to the Games, depending on how well I'm doing maybe I can judge if I’m in for a medal, but it’s the same as every competition; it depends on the draw and it depends on how you are on the day. I am just playing it ear and seeing how well I can develop between now and then.”

In the video you can watch her perform her favourite technique; a drop morote seonage on her fellow Dartford Judo Club member Ben Quilter, who just missed out a medal in the men’s under 60kg competition at the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008.

Discussing technique Francesca said: “It is all about breaking your partners balance so you can throw them otherwise it is easy for them to counter or to step off.

“As the Games approach I am trying to develop my technique give myself more ability rather than just be limited to one or two techniques.”