Speaking here after training, the world number one said her only disappointment at this month’s WTF Grand Prix Series 2 in Samsun, where she claimed under 57 kilogram gold with a 6-3 victory against Taiwan’s Yun-Wen Huang, was that she didn’t “practice enough”.

With a sizeable points advantage over her rivals in the Olympic rankings, Jones is all but assured of her place at Rio 2016, regardless of her showing at the Manchester Grand Prix which is scheduled to take place from October 16 to 18 at the city’s Regional Arena.

"I’m ranked world number one now and about 50 points in front as well - so I’m really safe," she told insidethegames.

"I don’t necessarily have to do these competitions, but I’m just going to use them to practice for Rio so I’m in a good position.

"I’m going to use it to my advantage and go in there with no pressure, but just try things so that when I do get to the Olympics, if I need to pull something out of the bag, then I can."

Jones was just 18-years-old when she topped the podium at London 2012 and admits the enormity of the feat is only just beginning to hit home with the latest edition of the Olympic Games less than a year away.

"It would be amazing to be double Olympic champion," she added.

"Especially now it’s getting closer, I’ve started to appreciate how amazing it was that I won it the first time; realising how hard it actually is to win an Olympics.

"Whereas before, because I was young and just went in there first time, I just thought I’ve done it.

"I’m appreciating it more now, and realising how much it would mean to do it again."

Unlike Jones, her GB Taekwondo team-mates still have work to do to secure their place at Rio 2016 with the Manchester Grand Prix being one of the last major ranking events for qualification.

World champion Bianca Walkden is one of them and will be looking to bounce back from her gold medal-match defeat to the United States’ Jackie Galloway, contesting the over 67kg category in Samsun.

"I’m a bit gutted but obviously I can’t let it drag me down because I’ve got to hopefully try and get it back," said Walkden, who was a bronze medallist at the Moscow Grand Prix in August.

"She can have that one as long as I win Rio, so that’s the plan."

Also vying for a coveted spot is world silver medallist Damon Sansum as he looks to improve on the quarter-final heartache he suffered in Samsun at the hands of Iranian under 74kg world champion Masoud Hajizavareh.

"I can’t wait for Manchester and walk out and hear that buzz and the roar of the crowd," he said.

"So, hopefully everyone comes to support us because these last few tournaments are really important for selection for Rio."

GB performance director Gary Hall has named 16 athletes, including six wild cards, for the final competitive outing on home soil before Rio 2016.

Joining Jones in the under 57kg category is Rachelle Booth, while Charlie Maddock and Abigail Stones will contest the women's under 49kg category, and Carla Summerhill will fight in the women's under 67kg class.

On the men's side, Sansum is joined by Lutalo Muhammad and Tom Smith in the under 80kg category, with Josh Calland and Max Cater making up the under 58kg representatives; Jordan Gayle, Michael Harvey and Martin Stamper all bidding for under 68kg honours; and Mahama Cho and Lyle Walker looking for podium finishes in the over 80kg class. 

The event forms part of UK Sport’s National Lottery funded #EveryRoadtoRio series, which will feature over 30 world class sports events the length and breadth of the UK and support British athletes’ preparation and qualification for Rio 2016.

"The atmosphere will be like a cauldron so I am looking forward to some great performances because the team is in a good vein of form," said Hall.

"There is added pressure because it is on home soil but it is great preparation for the Rio Olympics.

"We have got one of the strongest squads in the world and once we get them into the Grand Prix arena they go out and give it their all. And they will in front of the Manchester crowd.

"We are looking to them to give us that additional boost and drive. It is a passionate taekwondo crowd and we hope it will happen again this time round."

Following the event in Manchester, the Grand Prix Series is set to conclude with December’s final in Mexico City.



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