Soldier's bid for Olympic judo glory

10:45pm Friday 4th April 2008

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A SOLDIER is gearing up to represent Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.

Jonathan Morris, 22, who is originally from Padiham, is the current British Army judo champion.

Now he has been granted time off from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment to prepare for the Olympics, where he hopes to compete against the finest athletes in the world.

Jonathan was introduced to judo at the age of six by his Dad, John Morris, who ran Burnley and Pendle Judo Club.

John said: "What I admire most about Jonathan is that he won nothing between the ages of six and nine - he got hammered a few times, but kept going and sheer tena-city got him where he is.

"He became immune to losing after a while, but then he started winning and it's been like that ever since."

Jonathan, who joined the Army when he was 18, has been winning medals at national level and across Europe since he was 12.

And he is currently training six days a week at the British Judo Assoc-iation's headquarters in Dartford, Kent, with a Russian former Olympic gold medallist.

John said: "If anyone is going to do it on sheer merit and determination, it's going to be Jonathan.

"He doesn't drink, doesn't smoke - he isn't like the normal 22-year-olds.

"He deserves credit for what he's had to give up to get to where he is today.

"There will be no-one that has worked harder than Jonathan. It's impossible to measure how proud I am.

John praised the Army for supporting Jonathan's quest for Olympic glory.

He said: "The Army are behind him 100 per cent.

"He has had to go to about 12 competitions this year and each one costs £500 to £700, including flights and accommodation. The Army can only do so much."

Jonathan also has a wife, Natalie, 23 and two sons - Brandon, two, and Oliver, one, to support. And John is seeking sponsorship to help fund his son's bid for Olympic success.

The Fitness Factory, of Burnham Business Centre, Burnley are already providing tracksuits and training clothes.

To sponsor Jonathan call John Morris on 07871019764.