Golden moment for Clegg

Maidenhead's Jonathan Clegg has set his sights on the London 2012 Olympics after winning gold for Great Britain at the Under 23 World Rowing Championships in Belarus.

Clegg, along with fellow Maidonian, Dave Jones, were part of the lightweight men’s coxless four along with Jamie Kirkwood and Will Fletcher which beat the reigning champions Italy in a thrilling final on Sunday.

The victory was Clegg’s first in a GB shirt and now the former Sir William Borlase’s School pupil admits he is targeting a spot at the Olympics which get under way in exactly two years’ time this week.

“It was an amazing win,” he said. “I was speechless afterwards.

“The final was really tough but we just did our own race and came through in the end.

“I was in the squad last year when we got bronze and were beaten by the Italians. That was in our minds this time, we really wanted to beat them.

“Everyone was really happy afterwards, it was a great feeling.”

But Clegg, 21, admits he will not be resting for long as the lure of competing at the Olympic Games at Dorney Lake grows stronger by the day.

He said: “That’s my overall aim. To compete at the Olympics in my own town would just be awesome.

“Whether or not 2012 is too early I don’t know, but to get myself in a position for a chance of selection is what I’m looking to do."

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Photo: (c) Robert Treharne Jones.