​Hutchison targets top spot after putting injury troubles behind her

Joanna Hutchison has vowed to make up for lost time over the next 12 months as she bids to regain her status as Britain’s No.1 women’s sabre fencer.

The 23-year-old was forced to take time off from the sport from April to September last year after an ongoing knee injury flared up to the point where she could no longer compete.

Hutchison lost ground on her main British rival Chrystall Nicoll during her period on the treatment table, missing out on the European Championships in Bulgaria and a host of Grand Prix events.

The Nottingham-born fencer also saw Louise Bond-Williams lift the British title during her absence but is adamant that will all change upon her return to full fitness this year.

“It was a really stressful time being injured to be honest. My team-mates were still competing around me and all I wanted to do was get back fencing,” said Hutchison – who won the British title in 2007.

“It is funny because fencing is so full on during the season you kind of beg for a week off and then suddenly you are injured and you have four or five months off and it is not cool.

“But wanting to get back is good because it shows that you are still up for it and that you still have that desire and hunger to compete.

“I was getting in the top 16 of competitions before the injury so I would like to retain that level. Because I was injured I slipped down the world rankings quite a bit so that made things even more frustrating.

“And to be honest this year all I am thinking about is the Olympics and doing as much as I can now to be in a position to qualify outright.”

Hutchison did return in time for the World Championships in Turkey in October only to be rocked by news shortly after that the women’s team sabre event is to be removed from the Olympic programme.

The number of places for Brits at London 2012 will therefore be harder to come by but Hutchison has vowed to use her team disappointment to gain individual success.

“If there was a team event we would be allowed to take three girls to 2012 and all three would compete individually and I think we would have quite a good chance to do well,” she added.

“I obviously really want to be at 2012 and I think you have to be in the top 15 in the world to stand any chance of being selected outright.

“It is definitely doable if you keep the results consistent and stay injury free – which obviously I am hoping to do.”