Broadstairs snowboarder James Barnes-Miller ready to block out the hype and keep focus on performance in bid for glory at Winter Paralympics

James Barnes-Miller says his days of soaking in the big-stage at the Paralympics are firmly behind him.

And the Tunbridge Wells-born man reckons adopting a more ruthless, medal-focused mentality can help propel him onto the podium in Beijing.

Barnes-Miller, from Broadstairs, has booked his place in the Chinese capital where he’s gunning to improve on his seventh-placed snowboard cross finish at PyeongChang 2018.

The 32-year-old also finished 10th in the banked slalom event in South Korea, but it’s the head-to-head nature of snowboard cross he considers his strongest suit.

He immersed himself in the Paralympic environment four years ago but believes embracing a more battle-hardened mindset can haul him up the standings.

“I feel in way better stead this time,” said Barnes-Miller, one of more than 1,000 athletes able to train full-time thanks to vital National Lottery funding.

“I know what I’m going into. The Paralympic Games are a big show, there’s way more press and way more interest.

“I took that all in the first time. I went there and had the whole experience.

“But now, I can just go in knowing what to expect and just focusing on the racing.

"This time, I really want to get on the podium in both of my events. That’s really where I want to be. I’m going into every race now, not expecting, but hoping I can get on the podium.

“It would mean everything (to win a medal). It’s been a busy, weird four years, so it would just be incredible.”

Barnes-Miller doesn’t like doing things the easy way.

After making his Paralympic debut in South Korea, he cracked his collarbone in three places before embarking on a gruelling period of rehabilitation to get him back firing.

Another serious shoulder injury just before Christmas could have