Talented Michael McKillop, 18, will take part in the Paralympics in China in September and is training hard in the hope of finishing first in the 800 metres event.
Already the world champion, Michael spent last weekend training at the University of Limerick with Ireland's 45-strong team for the games.
"The weekend went really well. I did some weights, some running on the track and then a hard session," Michael told the Times.
"My plan is to train this week, then I have races coming up before I set off for Beijing.
"I feel I have been making good progress so that when it comes to the main event I can do the best I can."
Considered a realistic medal prospect, the local teen has set his sights not only on winning gold, but also breaking the world record he set at the World Paralympic championships in Assen, Holland in 2006.
The Paralympic Games are elite Olympic-style sports events for elite athletes with physical disabilities or visual impairment, emphasising athletic achievement rather than disability. The games get underway on September 6 and will run for 12 days. Micheal's semi final is likely to take place on September 9 with the final the following day.
Michael, who has mild cerebral palsy, works at the Sports Centre at the University of Ulster at Jordanstown (UUJ). He has also been training hard on local turf, taking full advantage of the state of the art UUJ facilities.
"Obviously it's going to be hot and humid in Beijing but the facilities at the Sports Institute include a heat chamber which can replicate what we'll experience in China." he said.
"The heat chamber is, if anything, hotter than Beijing because you don't have any breeze on your face or back so hopefully that will stand us in good stead.
"I'd like to think I've a chance of winning a medal but you just never know what to expect," he added.
The Irish team depart for their holding camp in Beijing on August 24. They will stay in the Changping District in advance of this year's Games to acclimatise, prior to entering the Paralympic Village. Approximately 4,000 athletes from over 153 countries across 20 sports will compete at the games.