JOSHUA WEBLEY insists reputations will have to mean nothing to him this year if his against-the-odds London 2012 taekwondo dream is to become a reality.

Despite his tender years Webley, 19, has already established himself as one of the top three players in the country – taking bronze at last year’s national championships in the -68kg category.

With places limited for London 2012 Webley will need to be the top player in his weight to even stand a chance of selection, and with arch-rival Martin Stamper having got the nod for this month’s World Championships, on paper his hopes look slim.

But Ealing-based Webley is confident his dreams are still very much alive, insisting this summer’s British Championships, and a showdown with Stamper, can force the selectors’ hands.

“With London getting closer now Martin is definitely in the driving seat,” said former Bishop Ramsey C of E School pupil Webley.

“But there is a slim chance that I can get there and while there is that I have to keep giving everything.

“With it being in London I have to keep believing that while there is still a chance I can do it.

“What I need to do is to keep working hard now and try and make sure that when I get to the British Championships I am in good form.

“If I can go there and win it then that would definitely give the selectors something to think about and give me a chance.

“There is always 2016 and the Olympics in Rio and I will be about a peak age for that but I want to do everything I can to get to London first.”

Webley has long been tipped for the top in the taekwondo world having claimed European Under-21 and Commonwealth Championship bronze, the latter coming in India at the start of the year.

Such heroics have not gone unnoticed with Lloyds TSB selecting him to be part of their Local Heroes scheme – handing him £1,000 of funding in the process.

And Webley admits the cash boost has given him just the confidence boost he needs ahead of a make-or-break summer.

“It’s my third year on the scheme and it is great to be back on it,” added Webley. “It’s not as much about the money though it’s more about the recognition.

“I was off it last year so to have been picked to be on it again is great.”

Lloyds TSB Local Heroes, in partnership with, provides support and funding to 344 emerging athletes all the way to London 2012 and beyond. Follow the future stars of TeamGB and ParalympicsGB at: www.lloydstsb.com/localheroes