From the Midlands to the Top: An Army Veteran's Journey to World Championship Success

On Wednesday November 1st, Nuneaton’s Scott Blaney became a World Para Jiu Jitsu silver medallist after competing for the Great Britain Para Jiujitsu team in Abu Dhabi. The blue belt fighter is one of two members of the GB team who are former members of the military.

The 37-year old has quite the resume of accomplishments including finishing third in 2013’s Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, swimming the English Channel.

Scott had to have an above the knee amputation on his right leg after an IED bomb exploded whilst he was out on patrol in Afghanistan in 2007. The blast also caused damage to his right elbow and making him partially deaf in one ear whilst also ending the life of a close friend and injuring four other members of his patrol.

After his injury, Scott joined the Grenadier Guardsman becoming the first amputee to stand guard outside of the Tower of London before leaving the role in 2015 to focus on his golfing career and home life.

The army veteran has since represented his country in golf featuring for the Battle Back Golf team who focus on using golf as a form of rehabilitation for injured servicemen and women. Scott also took part in qualification in Bath for 2017’s Invictus Games.

Scott began taking part in Jiujitsu after his cousin Jake recommended he joined his local gym to help combat his PTSD. Since then, his youngest daughter has began to partake in the sport as well.