Michael Harvey says it’s been a battle to get back to his best but believes he is in a position to go for gold at this month’s World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Manchester.
The 26-year-old is no stranger to success at the highest level after taking silver at the World Championships in 2011 before being crowed European champion a year later.
But results haven’t been so kind of late with Harvey struggling to capture the form that saw him establish himself as one of the world’s best.
However, the Mottram man believes he is has come through a rough patch as a better fighter and wants to prove it in front of a home crowd at Manchester’s Regional Arena.
“My season hasn’t been the best so far this year and I struggled a bit at the start of the year trying to find a way to fight,” he said.
“I lost my way a bit at the end of last year and I was trying to change it for the start of this year but didn’t really get it down.
“I think the game is constantly changing and it’s trying to adapt and keep up with the other players.
“I have had some OK results this year where I have had glimpses of it and I feel in a better place at the moment.
“So hopefully going into this Grand Prix I can go out and try the style and see how it goes.
“It can get really frustrating when it isn’t going your way because I think results are the biggest reward for the hard work.”
While Britain’s taekwondo players are used to travelling the globe for competitions the Manchester Grand Prix is a chance to take advantage of some home comforts and Harvey is hoping he can do just that.
“It’s frustrating especially when you know what you are capable of being right up there so that’s one of the biggest things,” he added.
“But you have to deal with that mentally and make sure you keep your mind open and clear and I feel like I am in a really good place for Manchester.
“I’ve had the chance to compete in front of a home crowd a few times now and it is always really nice.
“When you are abroad your family can’t always make it so it’s nice for them to be there and I think the home crowd always gives you that extra lift.
“I go into every competition to win but I want to go in quite free and open minded and take each fight as it comes.”
The World Taekwondo Grand Prix – featuring the very best Olympic and world champions from across the game – is coming to Manchester on October 16-18. Tickets on sale at www.ticketmaster.co.uk/WTGP
Image courtesy of GBTaekwondo via YouTube, with thanks.
