PAUL LE TOCQ has targeted a place in the UK top 10. The 22-year-old Sarnian, who won this year’s Guernsey Open singles title, is now a full-time badminton player based in Cardiff and is looking to progress up the professional ladder this season.

‘It has taken me longer to get where I am now than it should have done really, but I have got a chance now. My main aim playing-wise is being able to cope in European tournaments,’ said Le Tocq.

‘I need to find out if I can live at a European level. I am going to a tournament in the Czech Republic in about three weeks and one in Slovakia the week after.

‘Also, getting a place in the top 10 in the UK would be nice and that is not a million miles away.

‘Since I played in the Guernsey Open, I feel I have got quite a lot better through doing the training full-time,’ he added.

Le Tocq’s schedule is a busy one.

He trains six days a week, mainly two sessions a day, but sometimes three. He does court work most mornings with afternoons being a mixture of physical work, weights, court work and running.

‘Training has been going really well, but I need to get out and play some matches as well now,’ Le Tocq said.

‘I feel that as you get fitter, you get stronger mentally as well. A lot of the top players are really strong, they are not necessarily more talented than anyone else.

‘It is knowing in yourself that you have done your work because you do not get away with anything at that level – every point is a match in itself and that is why you have got to be stronger.’

As well as concentrating on his own game, Le Tocq is working at the David Lloyd Centre in Cardiff and also doing some coaching for the Welsh Badminton Union with the national age group squads to help fund himself.

He has also received a welcome boost in the form of sponsorship from Sigma Asset Management (Guernsey) Ltd.

‘It will go towards rackets and other essential equipment. I am very grateful for the support and it is going to mean I can do a lot more this year,’ he said.

Miguel Arraya of Sigma added: ‘We are delighted to be able to sponsor Paul and hopefully his example will inspire others.’