CHAMPIONSHIP READY: Mohsin Hussain is eager to defend his gold medal in the Ju Jitsu World Championships after qualifying via the British finals earlier this month
CHAMPIONSHIP READY: Mohsin Hussain is eager to defend his gold medal in the Ju Jitsu World Championships after qualifying via the British finals earlier this month

A hard hitting martial arts maverick from Bradford cemented his place amongst Britain’s elite earlier this month as he picked up a bronze medal in the British Ju-Jitsu Championship.

Twenty-six-year-old Mohsin Hussain, who trains with the city’s Onna Ju-Jitsu Club, competed in the national tournament held in Walsall.

Facing off against competition from across the country, Mohsin may have eventually been beaten to the prestigious gold, however his third place finish ensures he qualifies for the International Ju-Jitsu Championships this month.

Fighting with a lack of match-fitness, Mohsin described the bronze as ‘job done’ and was now looking forward to the ‘Worlds’ in Southend-on-Sea.

“I’d had a few issues with training in build up to the competition,” he said. “I was out of the country for much of the time I should have been preparing. You could say my training wasn’t ‘on point’.

“Going into the tournament, I knew that my goal wasn’t gold, it was to qualify for the International Ju Jitsu Competition.

“I pushed myself to the limit and am thrilled to have qualified.”

Mohsin had to overcome five other challengers from across the country in his weight category to win bronze.

SPORTS STAR: Since taking up Ju Jitsu, Mohsin has been decorated with many accolades
SPORTS STAR: Since taking up Ju Jitsu, Mohsin has been decorated with many accolades

Having qualified for the World Championships via regional heats last year, he added that he was delighted to have made it through to the championships once again this term – albeit via a different route.

“To be going to the Worlds again this year is a great feeling,” he said. “It’s in Southend-on-Sea once more and I won my gold medal there last year.

“I’m going back to defend my title and am confident that if I get my training right in the build up, I can clinch gold again and make it back-to-back victories.”

The Marshfield-born competitor was joined in Walsall by a number of both junior and senior club-mates from Bradford.

Stating that it has always been an ambition of his to promote the sport he is so passionate about, Mohsin praised the recent intake of young martial artists he has seen.

“When I first competed in a national competition, I said it was my goal to promote Ju-Jitsu and get more people involved,” he said.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported me so far and it is great to see local clubs, such as Onna, thriving with talented young members.”