FEATURE: Jaynes looking towards 2012 Olympics even as she pursues 2008 World Team

Leigh Jaynes has been there.

Unlike many of the competitors at the 2008 Women's World Team Trials in Colorado Springs, Jaynes has been a member of the U.S. Women's World Team before. She competed at the 2007 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan at 59 kg/130 lbs., falling short of winning a medal.

When FILA decided to add a Women's World Championships in Tokyo, Japan during the Olympic year using the seven international weight classes, it opened a new opportunity for Jaynes to return to the World Championships. She enters the World Team Trials as the No. 1 seed at 59 kg/130 lbs.

Jaynes (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), 55 kg/121 lbs. for the 2007-08 season, attempting to qualify at one of the four Olympic weight classes in the Beijing Olympics. When she fell short of that dream, Jaynes immediately looked ahead to the 2012 Olympics in London, and became committed to another four-year Olympic cycle.

"We will do things differently this time," said Jaynes of her Olympic goals. "I plan to pick and choose the proper tournaments to go down to 55 kg. I have to learn to be dominant at the Olympic weight class."

Jaynes was actually light for the 59 kg class for this tournament, coming in well under the weight limit.

"I was 2 kg under the 59 kg weight, with is right at the 2 kg allowance for 55 kilos," said Jaynes. "Right now, I feel better at 130 pounds than at 121 pounds until I train my body to handle the weight loss."

Jaynes was disappointed the results at 55 kg this year, but was realistic about what happened.

"I had poorly timed minor injuries, having knee surgeries on both knees," said Jaynes. "There was more conditioning, strength training and mat training that I needed. I am not surprised at the result, based upon what it takes to be a champion. You have to have a tournament where you are fully prepared. You have to be at your best when it counts the most. I did the best I could with what I had at the time. You always need to listen to your body and take care of injuries."

Jaynes immediately refocused her goals after the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, taking a few weeks off but making sure to keep training. She was ready to go when formal training began at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in late August.

"After Beijing ended, I was here the first day they started practices," said Jaynes. "I worked out once a day on the break. I did a lot of strength training down at Fort Carson and I was running two miles every day."

Her club coaches are pleased with her preparation and her attitude coming into this World Team Trials.

"She is unorthodox, but very sound technically," said NYAC women's coach Ron Tirpak. "She has an excellent concept of the flow of wrestling. She doesn't try to force things. She has a true drive to be a champion, and is willing to do what it takes."

Tirpak is excited that Jaynes is not only focusing on this year's World Championships opportunity, but has her mind already set on the London Olympic quest.

"We are building for 2012," said Tirpak. "We are consolidating her basics and working on her system of training. She is looking at the big picture, not just a snapshot of right now. She is very coachable and open to constructive criticism, which is the key to getting better."

Jaynes may be thinking about four years from now, but is also very serious about getting another chance to prove herself at the World level. She was defeated in her only match at the 2007 Worlds by Ayako Shoda of Japan, 1-1, 1-0. When Shoda did not qualify for the finals, Jaynes was eliminated from the tournament.

"I think the Azerbaijan experience was very important," said Jaynes. "It was a building block you have to get past. At the Worlds, I gave the Japanese girl too much respect. She was ready to lose. I have the ability to win every match that I wrestle. There is no difference between human beings, except what you do with it. It would be a good opportunity to go the World Championships and beat her in her homeland."