NEWCASTLE'S Martin Ward insists he won't miss out on qualification for next year's Olympic Games after topping the podium at the test event in London on Sunday.
Ward failed to secure automatic qualification for London 2012 when he suffered an early exit at the World Championships in Baku earlier this year.
But the lightweight - who remains the number one contender for the single British berth - bounced back in style at last week's London Prepares Series with a comfortable 10-5 win over German Eugen Burhard in the gold-medal showdown.
The victory counts for nothing in terms of Olympic qualification, with the second qualifying event the European Championships in Turkey next March.
But despite having it all to do with domestic rivals such as Iain Weaver threatening his selection, Ward is adamant he will be standing in the same ring that hosted last week's event come July 2012.
"I am number one in the squad now so I am looking for another medal from London," he said.
"As bad as it sounds, I am looking forward to getting Christmas out of the way so I can get back into the gym. I think I will definitely qualify for 2012 now.
"Hopefully when 2012 comes around, I am standing on the podium with the same coloured medal round my neck. I can't wait and fighting in front of a home crowd is an unbelievable experience.
"The crowd got behind me in this tournament and fighting against top quality boxers can only be helpful. With the crowd behind you, it adds a lot of pressure as well as making you more determined to win.
"With my family and friends supporting me, it makes me more excited. I want to book my place in London before I am starting thinking about it. I am sure half the stadium will be sold to my loved ones if I qualify!"
He added: "I take every fight as it comes, every performance is different so I just got out and think about the fighter in front of me so I am not going to think about the Olympics just yet.
"I have sent a message to the GB lightweight guys that I am the one to beat and I want to stay top of the pile.
"What will be will be and I think my destiny is to compete at London 2012. I have trained so hard throughout my life for the chance to be on the greatest stage in world sport so I am not going to let that chance slip."
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