BRACKNELL & Wokingham Swimming Club star Andrew Willis believes this month’s European Aquatic Championships will be the perfect preparation for when he targets gold in Rio later this summer.

Willis came out on top in one of the country’s most fiercely competitive events – the 200m breaststroke – at the British Championships in Glasgow to book his place at this summer’s Olympics.

Triple world champion Adam Peaty, London 2012 silver medallist Michael Jamieson and Commonwealth champion Ross Murdoch were all vying for gold over 200m, but it was Willis who set a new personal best to not only take the title but also beat the Olympic qualifying time by 0.44 seconds.

And Willis’ spot in Brazil was confirmed recently when the 26-strong Team GB swimming squad was announced.

“I always knew it would take a personal best to qualify for the Olympics and now if I can do a bit more in training and squeeze a bit more out then it should put me right up there [for a medal at the Olympics],” Willis said.

“It is all about getting into that final. If I can do that and do what I need to do to get up there with my personal best then that will put me where I need to be [to be in contention for a medal].

“I believe I am definitely capable of medalling if I swim on the day as well as I can swim and hold my nerve.

“I just have to focus on what I need to do.”

Willis is one of the most experienced members of the Team GB swimming squad for Rio having competed at every major event since the 2010 Commonwealth Games, which included an appearance in the 200m breaststroke final at London 2012 where he finished eighth.

And the 25-year-old will be returning to the London Aquatics Centre next week for the European Championships, which take place between May 9 and 22 and will be the biggest event held there since the Olympics.

The Team GB swimmers will be continuing their intense training schedule through the event but that does not mean Willis wouldn’t mind trying out the European podium before hoping to secure a spot on the one in Rio later this year.

Willis added: “I’m really looking forward to the European Aquatics Championships. I think it is good preparation for the Olympics, especially in my event where Europe is really strong.

“I now want to get back in the water, get back training and do some more race preparation and the Europeans is going to be great.

“I haven’t really thought about my chances of winning a medal at the European Aquatic Championships as the competition was kind of thrown at me immediately after my race at the British Championships.

“Now I want to get myself back into shape with my training and a medal would be lovely.”

Tickets for the European Aquatics Championships – the biggest event to be held at the London Aquatics Centre since the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games – from May 9-22 are available from www.euroaquatics2016.london