Mitchell Dutton is on track to make his Paralympic dream a reality this summer and credits the best winter of his career for setting him up for success.

The Watford F38 javelin thrower, who trains at St Albans Athletics Club, proved once and for all that he is among the world’s elite last season as he won the IWAS World Games in Stadskannal, Netherlands, with a personal best throw of 40.11 metres in July.

He maintained his momentum by hitting the gym and improving his technique during the offseason which helped him win his first event of the new campaign – the Surrey Disability Championships & Open in Kingston – in early April.

His winning distance of 39.65m was incredibly impressive for this early in the season and he now turns his attention to a busy schedule in the coming months that could well culminate in an appearance at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in September.

“I started my season earlier this month in Kingston and I threw really nicely to get 39.65m which was a really good start to the season,” said Dutton, who benefits from being part of the SSE Next Generation Scheme.

“The weeks and months before that I had just been winter training in Hertfordshire and at my local gym. It went really well – it’s the best winter I have had really.

“I’ve got BUCS coming up where I’m hoping to throw big there. Then I’ve got selections for Europeans in mid-May and then the Europeans in June before selection for the Paralympics which is in late July.

“I’m hopefully on track to make it to Rio because everything is going well at the moment. I wouldn’t know how to explain it if I got to represent GB at the Paralympics this summer.

“There would be so much emotion at achieving my dream and representing my country at the biggest athletics event in the world.

“You have to focus on what I happening now though. If I don’t get picked it is not the end of the world because there are always other big competitions and then the next Paralympics in four years time.”

Dutton switched coaches late last season and is adamant he is already reaping the benefits of having the expertise of the new man, Phil Peat, in his corner.

The 21-year-old has targeted breaking the 45m barrier this season and is convinced Peat can help him do just that.

“I’ve got a new coach now, and I’ve known him since I started and we get on really well,” added Dutton.

“It’s going well, we’ve got a whole programme set out of what competitions to do which has been a big part of it.

“I first met Phil at the CP Sport Grand Prix which was one of my first competitions because he used to run that.

“It’s very different to any other coaches I’ve had because I was always in with groups of people.

“Now it just one-on-one which is better, I can concentrate more and get better throws in.

“My aim this year is to throw 45 metres and my personal best at the moment is 40.11m. That’s not too far off so I definitely feel it is doable.”

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