Murdoch hoping to kick on in Doha

The 20-year-old is looking to continue his breakthrough year in the pool by impressing for Great Britain in the World Short Course Championships in Doha next month. Murdoch announced himself on the world stage by winning 200m breakstroke gold from favourite Michael Jamieson at this summer’s Commonwealth Games – the Scot also picking up bronze in the 100m breaststroke in Glasgow. But the University of Stirling student admits his success in Glasgow will stand as a big stepping stone to help him achieve his next goal of securing a place on Team GB for Rio. "To make the Olympic Games, I have to be part of the Great Britain team," said Murdoch. "I really want to cement myself on that team and make sure that I'm on the team for the World Championships in the short course, on the team for World Championships long course and again for the Rio Olympic Games. "I've really got to just be a regular member on that team and that's really what I'm there to do." After piping London 2012 silver medallist Jamieson to win the 200m breaststroke on home soil, Murdoch added silver medals in both the 100m and 200m breaststroke at the 2014 European Championships in Berlin. And with success continuing to come his way, Murdoch admits any time away from the pool will be limited if he is to build on his Commonwealth and European success. "There's no excuses, it's got to be full-on for the next two years," he added "I like to think of the Commonwealth Games as a stepping stone and how that's in the past now. "There's no point in living your life in the past, you've just got to keep moving forward and strive to be better." © Sportsbeat 2014