The gloves are off for SSE Ambassador Michael Conlan, who says anything short of gold in Glasgow will represent, “failure”.
The Belfast boxer memorably won bronze at the London Olympics two years ago and is focused on taking the top spot at Glasgow 2014.
Despite setting a sky-high target for himself, Michael insists he doesn’t feel the pressure.
The world number two at bantamweight admitted to SSE’s More For You site that even by elite athlete standard he is ultra-competitive.
He said: “I don’t like anyone beating me, even in training. It does my head in if anyone beats me at anything. I am competitive with everything.
“Obviously to win a silver or bronze is still good, but I would be really disappointed on the day.”
SSE is a proud sponsor of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Michael is part of a team of SSE ambassadors, led by six time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy. He’s flying the flag for Northern Ireland and inspiring the next generation of young boxers.
It would be natural to assume that such high expectations mean Michael is piling the pressure on himself but he disagrees.
“I don’t really think of it as pressure,” he said.
“I think it makes me more determined to train harder, to be better. I don’t read into pressure at all. Mentally I just focus on all the positives.”
Although Michael is now focusing on Glasgow, he says the Olympics are always at the back of his mind and swapping his bronze for gold.
He said: “I wasn’t expected to make 2012, as I was only 19 at the time. My coaches said to focus on Rio, and even when I made it they told me not to worry 2016 would be my time. So when I won the bronze it was amazing.
“My main goal is Rio. I one hundred percent want gold there. I already have a bronze, so I want the gold."
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