A teenager from Fulwood has become a Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion.
Tommy Turner, who lives in Black Bull Lane and attends Our Lady’s Catholic high school, in Fulwood, won the IBJJF European ultra heavyweight Brazilian Jiu-jitsu championship in Paris.
To lift the trophy, he beat competitors from Canada, Brazil and America.
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Last year he also won the European Elite BJJ heavy weight championship which was hosted in Wolverhampton.
Tommy commits at least nine hours a week to training for the sport, but he hasn’t always has success in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
He struggled to achieve success in his younger years, after discovering the sport when he was in primary school, because of his height, size and weight.
Tommy told Blog Preston: “I discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu following a visit from a Judo school at my primary school. They performed a demonstration lesson and I then started looking for something similar and when a friend from my rugby club suggested BJJ, I was all in.
“The help I have received from RGA has been amazing and they have helped me every step of the way. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Michal Malek who could not have given me more time or help.”
Tommy has already given some thought to his future as he is considering setting up his own academy one day.
He added: “After I finish my GCSEs I want to start an engineering apprenticeship. One day I will take my skills around the world competing and maybe set up my own academy.”
Tommy is 6’5″ and 95kg, so for several years he had to fight older boys who weighed the same as him but who were physically more developed.
Since the coronavirus pandemic, Tommy has grown in height, strength and skill.
Despite just being 15-years-old he has been training in the adult classes for four years and last year won an adult interclub blue belt championship when he was a yellow belt.
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Tommy’s dad, John Turner has supported his throughout his sporting career.
He said: “I am so proud of Tommy’s achievements in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. For eight years he has consistently dedicated his spare time to practising and coaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Roger Gracie Academy in Preston, gaining his blue belt three weeks ago.
“Tommy has won numerous championships over recent years but to become the IBJJF European Champion in the ultra heavyweight division is a dream come true.
“It is all down to his personal discipline and skill sets not forgetting the support of his coaches at the Academy who I cannot thank enough.”
Aside from training himself, Tommy also started coaching the children’s class each Wednesday, which he has done for three years.
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