Heanor paratriathlete Phil Hogg confident of reaching 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil

The Heanor-based paratriathlete insists his spot in Brazil will take care of itself if he continues to put in the kind of performances that he has been of late.

The 45-year-old is in fine form this season, having already scooped a gold, silver and a bronze.

He and his team are now preparing to take part in a special paralympics test event in Rio in a couple of weeks’ time when all specifics relating to the event will be finetuned.

As well as gearing up for that event, Phil also has the small matter of the World Championships to prepare for.

He says he is looking forward to the trip to Rio but is not getting his calculator out to see when and how he can confirm his spot at the Games.

He said: “I’ve left all the ranking and points issues to my coaching team - it’s too complicated for me.

“I know I’ve got a lot of points already so I’m in quite a fortunate position.

“I’m a big believer in that you reap what you sow so it will all take care of itself hopefully.”

Phil’s form this season has been excellent and he scooped top spot at the British Paratriathlon Championships which were held in Llanelli, Wales in May.

He says he was happy to have got a maiden win of the season under his belt.

He said: “I had some good training behind me and it was the first time that I could really put a plan together.

“I had a solid race and I was certainly happy to finish first.

“I’ve won three consecutive titles and it’s nice to have won it so many times.

“There was some flaws in the performance but it was just good to get that first win of the season sorted.”

After his exploits in Wales, Phil then upped his training regime to compete at the ITU World Event in London.

Phil came away with a bronze medal from the event, despite admitting to feeling “fatigued.”

He said: “The World Event was held at the Olympic track in London.

“I got a bronze in a top-class field.

“I’m glad I managed to grab a spot on the podium because it wasn’t my best race to be fair.

“I didn’t feel great in the build-up and felt quite fatigued.

“Despite feeling lethargic I put in a decent performance.

“I can pick up little bugs because of the type of training I do.

“I have to be careful because it’s very easy to get under the weather so my recovery needs to be managed.”

Phil shook off the bout of illness sufficiently to post yet another podium finish at the European Championships in Geneva, Switzerland, which sets him up nicely for the World Championships in September.

He added: “Geneva was another tough field with some of the big guns taking part.

“I was happy with my performance and I was chuffed to finish with silver and get on the podium again.”