BRINN Bevan is targeting a trip to Rio, three years earlier than originally planned.

The Benfleet gymnast won a trio of bronze medals at the Junior Japan Invitational Competition last week.

And the 16-year-old is now targeting a place in the World School Games which take place in Brazil next month, where the 2016 Olympics will also be held.

“My next the big competition I should be going for is the World School Games in Rio so that will be a really good insight into 2016,” said Bevan, who trains at the South Essex Gymnastics Club in Basildon.

“The Olympics are the long-term goal I’m aiming for but it all depends on what the senior guys do.

“However, hopefully I can challenge them for a spot.”

Bevan again showed his promise and potential with his three medals in Japan against the best young gymnasts in the world.

The former Deanes School pupil finished third in the all-round competition, the parallel bars and the rings.

And he shocked even himself with the high finishing positions he secured.

“I was really surprised because there were four Japanese guys out there and two Chinese,” said Bevan. “To come third out of all of them was great and my team-mate Nile Wilson came fifth as well.

“We have a big rivalry as well so it was really good and I certainly wasn’t expecting the results I got.

“The main aim of going out there was to see how me and the other GB gymnasts compare to the Japanese and, just like the guys in London last year, it seems like we do have a good chance against them.”

Bevan is now back training hard in Basildon, where he currently hones his skills for at least 36 hours every week at the club’s base in Basildon Sporting Village.

And he often hones his skills alongside club-mate and double Olympic bronze medalist Max Whitlock.

“It’s good training with him and it gives me something to aspire to,” said Bevan.

“I see his skills in elements of his routines and it makes we work harder to try and keep up with him.

“We’re a close team here and we all like to see each other doing well so it’s really good and hopefully Max can enjoy more success at the World Championships he’s in at the moment."