UK Challenge shot and discus champion Emeka Udechuku of Woodford Green with Essex Ladies is dieting - in search of a place in Team GB at next year's Olympic Games in Beijing.

A decade after becoming the only British heavy thrower to win a title at the European Junior Championships, he has decided to concentrate on his best event, the discus, in an effort to reach the Olympics.

The successful banker and his coach, UK Athletics vice-president Mike Winch, have figured that he first has to get trim and then work on improving his strength and fitness.

Udechuku, who tipped the scales at 22 stones in mid-winter, said: "Mike's view was that I was carrying too much tub and I concurred. If I am to get in shape for 2008, I have to take the pain of not having the best of the first half of this year."

Winch explained: "Emeka has a pretty high-powered job in Barclay's that involves lots of business lunches and dinners. He was moving up to 22 stones and I said, If you are to be serious about getting to the Olympics next year, you've got to start from scratch - lose weight and then rebuild your fitness.

"He has lost between three and four stones by just eating sensibly, cutting down the quantity, cutting down the excessive carbohydrates, and making sure he doesn't have the extra snacks. Now he's a slimline 18 stones and obviously not throwing particularly well yet."

Udechuku managed 54.14m in the British League Premiership three weeks ago, more than ten metres down on his lifetime best, which was achieved in 2004 when he narrowly missed qualifying for the Athens Olympics.

But Winch added: "He's now in the gym, and he has 15-minute runs before and after his sessions, starting to build-up his fitness.

"He has increased his protein input and is taking vitamins to help. His ideal weight is 19 and a half stones - that's his target at the moment."

Udechuku said: "If I can finish this season throwing 60 to 61 metres, I will be full of gas for next year."