Michael Horley-Judo
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28th July 2008
The 21-year-old Outdoor Leadership student at the University of Cumbria Newton Rigg Campus was a National Cadet Bronze Medalist in 2003 and took the Lugi Open in Sweden the following year. Michael was second in the 2004 Venray International Tournament (Holland), third in the 2004 National Cadet and Bronze medalist at the 2005 Lugi Open (Sweden). He claimed his first Gold in the 2005 Venray International Tournament (Holland) and was also second in the British Junior Open that year.
He kept on adding the honours by becoming American Open and Northern Ireland Open Champion in 2006. Michael was English Open Silver Medalist in 2007 and took Bronze in the Northern Ireland Open this season. He is also a member of the British-title holding North West team in the National Team Championships.
"My Granda used to work with someone who did Judo, so he thought it would be good for me to have a go. He took me to Carlisle judo club when I was nine. I really enjoyed it especially competing. As I progressed to the tougher tournaments I started training at Kendal Judo Club more and more regularly from the age of 16. I am now 21 and have been training full time at Kendal for two years," he says. His coach and mentor at the Kendal Club, Dave Hughes, recently picked up a silver and bronze in international competition.
"It would mean a lot for me to represent the country at the Olympics in 2012. It would be a great honour - I’ve wanted to fight in an Olympic Games since I was nine. I want to perform really well and get that gold medal, not just for myself but for my coach, family and friends who give me so much support. Hearing the national anthem being played whilst stood on the medal rostrum at the 2012 Olympic Games would be such a proud moment for me," continues Michael.
And he puts in the graft and dedication that is necessary for a champion. A typical training schedule consists of -
Monday: Running, Work, Weights, Judo, Rope Climbs
Tuesday: Running or sprint drills, Judo-Technical Session, Work Sometimes North West Squad training at Wigan after work.
Wednesday: Running, Judo- technical Session, Weights, Yoga, Judo- 2 hour fighting Session, Rope Climbs
Thursday: Running or Sprint drills, Work, Judo- Technique and Fighting, Weight circuit
Friday: Weights, Work, Judo
Weekend: Usually taken up with squad training or tournaments.
Michael doesn’t have any special nutritional needs as such, but hopes to see a sports nutritionist in the near future.
"I’m right at the bottom end of my weight category of 90 Kg, but I’ve been steadily putting the muscle on since I moved to that weight 2 years ago.
Generally I just stay off the pies, junk food and alcohol," says Michael, who would like to thank the Stanwix Neighbourhood Forum for their continued support.
"An Olympic gold medal is my ultimate goal. Hopefully I’ll squeeze a few Olympics into my competitive career. Heavy Weight judo players tend to peak later on in life so I’ll hopefully be able to keep going providing I look after injuries properly. There are also other tournaments such as Europeans and Worlds I want to gain titles in."
Contact Kendal Judo Club on 07708 968194 or visit www.kendaljudoclub.co.uk.