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AFTER rounding off a stellar year by winning back-to-back British championships St Helens judo ace Owen Livesey is anticipating a packed and productive 2015.

The former Saints junior is not resting on his laurels after winning Commonwealth gold in Glasgow, instead he has his sights fixed firmly on accruing as many points and medals in this final full year of Olympic qualification.

In order to do that the 23-year-old SKK club member has to compete and succeed in as many competitions across the globe as possible which will help him climb the world rankings.

The British number one, who hails from Haresfinch, has to be among the elite top 22 at 81kg if he is to be on the plane to Rio next year.

He said: “After the year I have had it is a case of being back in Camberley after a brief break and now I am hoping to kick on.

“I have to get as many tournaments and get as many points as I can.”

In a judo world of constant training, travelling to camps and fighting at tournaments, there are red letter days on the calendar – starting with April’s European Championships.

“The Europeans are in Glasgow in the same arena where I won the Commonwealth gold – so plenty of good memories there and hopefully I have a good chance.

“If you get a medal there you are majorly on track because the Eastern bloc countries Russia, Georgia and Ukraine are strong – plus the French are in there too.

“Most European medallists are in with a shout for the worlds as well,” he said.

Although he is Britain’s number one Livesey is looking to secure another two World Cup medals to add to the gold he won in the African Open at Mauritius in November.

“There are plenty of really big tournaments that I have never had medals in – I am just going to keep cracking on as hard as I can and get as big a medal as I can in each one – if I concentrate on that then Rio will look after itself,” he said.

In judo, the Olympic places are allocated to whoever is in the top 22 in the world a few months before the tournament – and ranking is based on points accrued at tournaments starting six months ago.

But it does come at a cost – literally – and he has called on supporters in his home town to help him raise funds to support another big year.

Camberley Judo Club, where Livesey is now living, have set up a page to allow supporters to show their backing.

Visit it at camberleyjudo.co.uk/support-the-club/sponsor-an-athlete