By Ben Baker

Orpington modern pentathlete Henry Choong insists he heads into the Youth Olympic Games full of confidence thanks to his European title.

Choong already looked like making it a season to remember when, back in March, he set a new youth swimming record in a 25m pool when he stopped the clock at 1:54.41 minutes in a GB Youth International in Solihull.

But that was just the tip of the iceberg and last month the 17-year-old joined forced with Ben Pond and won gold in the Modern Pentathlon European Youth A Championships relay event in Sweden.

All this put the Bromley & Blackheath Harriers’ Choong on the international selectors’ radar and he was one of two modern pentathletes chosen to represent Team GB at the second Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing.

And after climbing the top step of the podium in Sweden, Choong is once again eyeing up silverware in the Far East.

“I was delighted when I found out I had been selected for the Youth Olympics because it had been an aim of mine for four years,” said Choong, a pupil at Whitgift School.

“I remember seeing adverts for it by the side of the road four years ago and really wanted to compete there so I am really pleased I get my chance now.

“After winning relay gold at the Europeans I have added confidence now heading to China because that title is definitely the best result of my career so far.

“I believe I can get a medal in Nanjing now and that is what I am aiming for. I just need a good fence because it is inconsistent.

“My swimming is my strongest part of my modern pentathlon and if I can get a good fence then I should hopefully be in a good position for a medal.”

As well as an individual attack on Nanjing, Choong will also be taking part in a mixed team relay where the top-finishing male is partnered by the lowest-finishing female regardless of nationality, with the second highest and lowest then joining forces and so on and so forth.

And while admitting that this is something he is not used to, the former New Beacon Primary School pupil is happy to be taken out of his comfort zone as he eyes up a senior Olympic outing sooner rather than later.

“Nanjing will be the biggest event I have ever competed in by far and I can’t wait to get out there now and do all the competitions,” Choong added.

“I like the relay events so hopefully I can do well in that as well as the individual so I am really looking forward to it.

“My main goal is to reach the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020 and being a part of this team makes it all the more real that I can make this possible.”

The British Olympic Association prepares and leads British athletes at the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games. It works in partnership with sport National Governing Bodies to enhance Olympic success and is responsible for championing the Olympic Values.

For more information, visit teamgb.com

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