HOLLY Bleasdale will be going for her fourth straight national pole vault title in Sheffield this afternoon.

The Blackburn Harrier, who has the world lead indoors this season at 4.71m, will start as clear favourite to claim victory and is determined to use the event as a springboard to more medals in 2013.

The 21-year-old, who was sixth at the London 2012 Olympics, is aiming to break the five metre barrier – something only two women have done – and medal at the World Indoor Championships in Poland in March.

Bleasdale is then eyeing gold in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and a podium place at the Euroepan Championships in Zurich when the outdoor season begins later this year.

But first she will be out to retain the national title which she has made a monopoly of since taking her first win in 2011.

She said: “I love competing indoors because you don’t have to worry about the weather but I really want to focus this year on taking that momentum to the outdoors, because I want to start winning world championship and Olympic medals,” says Bleasdale.

“I’m not afraid of the five-metre barrier,” she adds, her current best is 4.87m set in 2012.

“A lot of girls think it’s out of reach and unachievable because only two girls have done it, but I don’t. Once I start doing 4.80-4.90m regularly it’s only 10cm, so I don’t see why I can’t jump it if I stay injury-free and I keep improving."

Bleasdale, who won the Glasgow International title last month, has a new coach in Scott Simpson having previously based herself in America under the guidance of Dann Pfaff, and believes she is fitter than ever heading into the new season.

She added: “I’m fitter and quicker than I ever have been and vaulting better.

“I do feel like I’m in a really good place. My head is not confused and I’m not overcomplicating things.”She says