As she prepares for her third campaign at the Jamaica International Badminton tournament that serves off at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston on Thursday, Jamaica’s Tahlia Richardson is not thinking too far ahead.

The 2019 NABUCO Women’s champion will face Cheyanna Burnett-Griffith of Barbados in the opening round of the competition on Thursday but is not thinking much beyond that match. Notwithstanding, she wants to go all the way, if she can.

“First of all, I want to make it past the first round. After winning that, I want to set small goals and achieve those small goals until I get to the big goal which is winning the tournament,” she said following the launch of the tournament in Kingston on Tuesday and in which she will play singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

“I definitely want to reach at least one semi-final, so that’s the goal.”

Just 18, Richardson has risen rapidly up the Jamaican rankings over the past two years to the point where she ranks among the very best in the island alongside her local rival Katherine Wynter. She credits the work she has put that has made her stronger – mentally and physically.

“My mental game has improved and I am very grateful for that because I now look at things from a different perspective. I am also physically stronger so I am able to do various things that I could not do before,” she said while crediting her rivalry with Winter for having contributed to her rapid growth.

“The rivalry pushes both of us to train harder and always try to be at the top because we know that there is someone that can beat me and that pushes each of us to go harder in training,” she said, which for her means more on-court time, more physical, more mental building.

“Just going out and giving it my all, even more. If I give 10 per cent today, I make sure I give 50 tomorrow and so it goes on.”