THINK of sporting heroes and you think immediately of the likes of Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill or Sir Mo Farah.

But there’s a new kid on the block and he is Colchester’s own.

Taylor Pearman is the first Briton to win a medal in no gi jiu-jitsu world champion.

And his isn’t just any medal, it’s a gold medal.

The former Stanway School student has risen to the very top of the martial arts scene to be crowned the no gi jiu-jitsu world champion.

Taylor, 21, overcame five opponents on his way to winning the world championships in Los Angeles.

He admitted even he was

surprised to win the title at such a young age.

He said: “I’ve always believed in my ability to do well but it was still a pretty big shock.

“I set the goal of winning the world championships by the time I was 25-years-old so to do it at 21 is fantastic.”

Since claiming gold in California, Taylor, of Braiswick, Colchester, has been busy adding to his collection of medals at the European Championships.

There, he won bronze in the gi form of the discipline.

Taylor, who fights with Essex-based Team ZR, explained the difference between gi jiu-jitsu and no gi jiu-jitsu.

He said: “Gi is different to what I was doing in Los Angeles because you wear judo style suits and you can grab onto it to get an advantage.”

“No gi means competitors wear T-shirts and shorts and grapple for control without grabbing their opponent’s clothing. Taylor added: “To only get bronze after the gold obviously didn’t leave me feeling as happy. Bronze is the worst colour.”

The European event was held in Lisbon and saw him face-off against many of the same fighters he took on to win gold in the no gi jiu-jitsu world championships.

To be at the top of his sport he is travelling the world taking part in competitions against the best of the best.

Later this year, Taylor will head to Abu Dhabi to compete before returning to California to compete in the gi world championships.

Taylor said: “The travelling is all part of it and I’ve seen lots of the world even though I’m still young.Initially I funded it out of my own pocket but my new sponsors, Tatami FightWear, are really helping me with the funding for the travel.

“I’m doing something everyone wants to be able to do, I

appreciate that, and it’s something I would encourage everyone and all kids to do at least

once.”

The martial artist first began training when he was 14 at the 9th Legion Training Centre, in Wyncolls Road, Colchester, with his coach Alain Pozo.

He said: “I can remember my first fight and it was such an ego-destroyer because at the age of 13 or 14 you walk in thinking you’re going to win easily - but I got whopped.

“I think it did come naturally really though, I started winning tournaments within two months of training.”

Taylor’s mother Charlotte Gooding said she was proud of her son for setting his ambitions and achieving them.

She said: “Perhaps he’s a bit young compared to other winners in the past but he always knew he was going to win it eventually.

“A lot of work goes in, he trains six days per week.

“I suppose it started with karate lessons, even though he didn’t really like it, but he and his friends would always mess about on the trampoline and do pretend fighting and all that stuff.”

More information about Taylor, team ZR and the training the team offer is available at www.carlsongracieessex.co.uk