Aaron McKibbin is about to enter the dog-eat-dog world of qualification for the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

The 23-year-old class eight table tennis star, who won bronze at London 2012, starts the new season at the Hungarian Open tomorrow [Friday], followed very quickly by the Italy Open on March 17.

After two seasons of relative calm on the circuit, this season is all about earning enough points to qualify for the Paralympics and it is goodbye Mr Nice Guy.

However, McKibbin reckons he is in fine fettle after an intense training block since the new year coupled with the experience of qualifying for London three years ago.

The number 12 in the world from Wandsworth said: “When I first started playing in non-qualification years, some of the high ranking players did not turn up for the smaller competitions, or they didn’t necessarily care.

“But when Olympic qualification season comes round there are massive matches from the very start – it becomes dog-eat-dog.

“It’s good for me to have had that experience. I know that lower ranked players will be giving everything they have against higher ranked players because they know what is at stake.

“Throughout the year there is the European and the World Championships, but everyone’s eye is ont he Olympics. After London it was Rio, and after Rio it will be Japan.”

Follow McKibbin's progress at aaronmckibbin.com

McKibbin, who is sponsored by James Pendleton in Wandsworth, has until October to accumulate as many qualification points as possible, and he is hopeful to have enough by the time the European Championships roll around in September in Russia.

However, should it be necessary, the former Active Wandsworth sports person of the year will compete in the final competition of the season in Costa Rica – although he has made tracks to avoid a nervous end.

“I have self-funded the trip to Hungary because I know that it is a very strong competition in my class and if I can beat the players there, and do well in Italy, it really sets me up well,” he said.

“I am in a qualification position now, in 12th, whereas before London I was way down in about 25th and playing catch-up.

“But I am not thinking I am there because I know there are people below me who can beat me, and players above me who can beat me.”

He added: “I am confident going into the season. In past years I would be nervous, but I have trained really hard, I’ve lost 10 kilos, I feel faster and sharper.

“All I need to do is to go to Hungary, play my best table tennis and enjoy the moment. I play table tennis because I love it and that’s important.”