PONTYPOOL'S rising judo star Claire Scourfield could be one of Wales' youngest medal winners at this year's Commonwealth Games.

In fact her coach and mentor Alan Jones is certain she will be.

"She's a fantastic talent and has that natural ability to be able to turn it on when needed. The competition's going to be tough but she's definitely in line for a medal," Jones predicted.

Alarmingly for her opponents, Pontypool's prodigy black-belt, still only 20, has yet to reach her peak - the Olympic Games in Athens 2004 being her ultimate goal.

But in the meantime Scourfiled wants glory on the mats of the G-Mex Centre in Manchester later this month.

"I'm really looking forward to the Games," the young star buzzed. "My training's gone really well - in fact, better than I expected. I haven't had any tournaments lately - I've just been pushing on with the training and not risking an injury."

Against her usual run of form Scourfield crashed out at the Judo British Open - her last major tournament - earlier this year. That hasn't dented her confidence, though, as the Trevethin-born former UK number one revealed.

"This is my first games and I'm hoping to take a medal - it's a realistic aim. There's going to be a massive buzz there and my expectations are high as the big day gets closer."

Scourfield has enjoyed a steady rise in success over the last eight years since bursting onto the judo scene.

"My brother got me into it. I used to play rugby, but had to quit. I joined the Guides, but left after a week," she joked.

Since donning her first belt Scourfield has enjoyed unprecedented success with a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Championships in 2000 and a silver at the Junior European Championships - two of her biggest highlights.

Yet optimism as a whole in the Welsh camp is high as the countdown for the summer's biggest sporting event gathers pace. After a string of low-key fights in London they will be travelling back to Wales before heading to Manchester on July 25 - a day ahead of the opening ceremony.

There Jones' warriors will begin their final preparations.

"They're peaking now. This is going to be a very hard competition against the best judo fighters out there. With the right attitude though we know we can do well," predicted Jones.