TOM Squires earned a top-ten finish in his last major regatta before the Tokyo Olympics.

The 27-year-old, from Kingston Bagpuize, was eighth at the RS:X World Championships in Cadiz, Spain.

It saw him improve on his performance at last year’s competition in Australia, when he finished ninth.

Strong winds and big waves pushed the participants to their limit over the ten-race regatta and Squires felt it was a useful test ahead of the Games in July.

“It’s been a long time since the last World Championships, with so much adversity,” he said.

“I’m super grateful for the opportunity to train hard before the regatta and prepare for what could be the last competition before the Olympics.

“It feels good to be well within the top ten, but I know I have to push harder than ever between now and the Games to get an Olympic medal.”

Squires will now return to the UK and train from the British Sailing Team’s performance base at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, before heading to Tokyo in June.

“The British Sailing Team has a huge amount of resources to push me to have the best preparation possible,” Squires added.

“I’ve been dedicated to putting 100 per cent into this Olympics and although this year has been challenging, to be able to train and race has helped me refine what I need to do to get a medal.”