Me and my fitness . . .

The 32-year-old now combines a busy "day job" with his beloved sport. He calls badminton "a hobby" these days -- but his competitive streak (even when it comes to dominos) and enthusiasm for the sport are still as strong as ever . . . HOW DO YOU KEEP FIT?

I do a lot of aerobic stuff, general conditioning training. I will do three to four runs a week, between five and eight miles, and two to three bike sessions of 45 minutes -- threshold training, just below my hardest training level. It's quite enjoyable -- sometimes. My brother trains equally hard, just for fun. It's nice just to do one, to one and a half hours, every evening. I used to train three sessions a day! I'm playing just once or twice a week.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO KEEP FIT?

At the moment, I'm working at my father's business, it's a stationery manufacturers'. But I'm still training and playing so I'm still ticking over. I'm taking that step eventually out of the sport -- but it's a difficult one to make for a lot of athletes. For now, I'm still combining the two. I haven't got a purpose to train for, apart from club training at the moment. A lot of my training over the past 20 years should suffice to keep me in condition. I don't believe you lose the skills you've utilised for so many years. But if I come back to compete, then I will have to train seriously. I'm hoping to play in the Commonwealth Games, but a lot depends on how this transition goes from training full-time to working full-time and training part-time. There is a possibility I might form a partnership with my old doubles' partner, with a view to the Commonwealth Games. Anyway, it's good stress relief and I find it enjoyable. The last three to four years were very difficult, because badminton became my job and now I view it as a hobby.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO BADMINTON?

I first picked up a racket when I was eight years old. I was introduced to the sport by my mother and father. I came through the club system in Bolton and then got into the county squad at 12. I learned about competition and they helped me considerably. I enjoyed beating people rather than losing. I was quite fortunate in that I had really strong parental support.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR CAREER?

The biggest achievement was winning the European championships in 1998. All the best players in Europe and the world were there. The most memorable was winning the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Australia in 1994.

That experience was just amazing. And the All England Final in 1994.

HOW DO YOU RATE YOUR COMPETENCE?

At the moment, it's not as good as it was a few years ago. But one of my best assets is my fitness, and my skill. That really took me to the top. The main thing about playing at the highest level is to make sure your fitness is up there and you are in good condition. If you lose that, you won't be quick enough.

WHERE DO YOU TRAIN?

At David Lloyd, Trafford Park and Bolton Arena.

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR SHAPE, WEIGHT, FITNESS LEVELS?

I'm probably as fit as I used to be. I am in good shape, ha ha, considering my injuries. I weigh 90 kilos. I can't get lower, unfortunately. I was between 82 and 85. I'm quite big and heavy and broad in the shoulders.

ANY INJURIES?

I tore my cartilage at the last Olympics. And I tore my right shoulder muscle. But I've now had three or four months where I haven't trained as intensely so those things have recovered.

DO YOU FIND IT HARD TO FIND TIME FOR YOUR SPORT?

No, I enjoy it. I quite like just going for a run when I finish work. I find it really relaxing. It helps me wind down. I suppose you don't physically damage your body like you do when you are training full-time. I suppose I feel quite fit and healthy.

HAVE YOU EVER PRACTISED ANY OTHER SPORTS?

I played cricket and football. I love those sports. I did a stint of Thai Boxing with Sandy Holt. I used to play quite a lot of football when I was in Wimbledon. I don't think I'm very skilful but I've got the brawn!

WHICH OTHER SPORT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY?

I don't think there's anything I've not tried. At the moment I'm organising a skiing trip. It will be my first time skiing. I'm quite sporty anyway. I get a little bit competitive though -- it's bad when it comes down to dominos though, or backgammon!

DO YOU DRINK OR SMOKE AND WHAT SORT OF DIET DO YOU HAVE?

I did a special, vegetarian diet and it was excellent, but it was lacking in nutrients. I was a little bit weaker. I went back to a full fat diet but I'm quite conscious about what I eat. I eat a lot of vegetables, chicken and salmon. I eat chocolate in moderation and of course I like my treacle sponge and chocolate eclairs but I need to restrict myself. I do drink, I like a glass of wine. Red. I like a lot of Chilean wine. I get drunk once every so often but I would rather just have a nice meal and a couple of glasses. Even when I was training hard, I found having a drink was quite good because you put your body through such a lot. Of course, if you abuse it, you create a lot of damage. It's that balance. I don't smoke.

WHICH SINGLE THING WOULD MOST IMPROVE YOUR BADMINTON?

We were talking about this the other day. I wish I could hold back in training. I have always trained too hard.

If I go for an eight-mile run, I will try to beat my time from before!

I am my own worst enemy. Sometimes I find it very hard to say 'no'. It's stupidity sometimes. If I could have just had a bit more control at a younger age . . .

I think sometimes I just needed to hold myself back.

I'm not saying I was a bull in a china shop, but . . .