By Tom Reynolds

MATTHEW Burton insists his victory at the McCain Jumps &Throws Fest has left him more determined than ever to break into the GB set up next year.

Lewisham’s Burton finished on top of the pile at the Birmingham-hosted event with a leap of 7.53m, although he was less than impressed with his winning mark.

For Burton the frustration of that distance followed on from the disappointment of not making London 2012, being forced instead to watch training partner and coach Tosin Oke finish seventh in the capital.

However, in Oke’s performance at the Games Burton has found just the inspiration he needs to be part of the GB squad in 2013.

“My season has been good and I trained very hard,” he said.

“I was out in Singapore with my training partner Tosin Oke who went on to finish seventh in the Olympic Games, so it has been good.

“I should have jumped eight metres already but it is just a case of a few technical things coming together and it will come, I have had some big fouls this season.

“Training with Tosin is great because he is my coach my training partner and a very good friend of mine and he is a huge inspiration.

“He plans everything really well and he is the reason why I am where I am today.

“Watching him on the TV at London 2012 was awesome but I should have been there too, it is a matter of fact.

“If certain comps had gone the way they should have then I would have been there because that would have given me confidence and that gives us such a boost.

“But what I have learnt is that I need to be patient and not force things and if I let things come then I will get to where I want to be.

“Rio 2016 is my long term but next year the first goal has to be the European Indoors. The qualifying standard for that is 8.10m and there is no doubt in my mind that I can do that.

“The markers I have been putting down in training show that to me but I just need to take it into competitions now.”

And with the 2012 season far from over Burton plans on ending on a high after warming up with a victory in Birmingham.

“I won with 7.53m and it wasn’t a very consistent meet from me but I am very sore and my back is very tight with it being the end of a long season,” he added.

“I had a bit of a hamstring injury over the last two weeks so I am pleased to get back jumping again and I came here just to check in really because I have a few more meets left and this was almost like a little warm up.”

The McCain Challenge competition, which covers indoor, outdoor track & field and cross country, is the country’s premier domestic athletics series.

Supported generously by UKA's Principal Partner McCain, the series provides top quality competition opportunities.

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