Jamahl Golland

I had a very different and very difficult start to my life. A severe reaction to the MMR vaccination as an infant almost took my life and left me with severe cognitive and coordination impairment. I was later diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD. My parents were told that I would never become an athlete, nor would I ever achieve academically.

I spent my first 8 years in special needs education, first at the Freemantles school for Autistic children, and later at the Carwarden House school, both in Surrey, UK. In total I only had 3 years of education within a mainstream environment, with over 1 year of this time spent on Lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, I still achieved very creditable grades in my GCSE examinations and later achieved Triple Distinction, Triple Star grades on my Level 3 BTEC programme - the very highest possible grades.

I began training in Martial Arts with my Father from the age of 4 years and after a very timid start fraught with anxiety, I took to the training very quickly and it soon became my most enjoyable pursuit in my life.

Over many years I have now achieved a total of 10 World Kickboxing titles, 1 European title and over 30 National titles. I hold the rank of 3rd Dan Blackbelt and I am currently the World number 1 seeded fighter for both Light Contact and Kick Light fighting disciplines within the World Kickboxing and Karate Union (WKU).

I have also boxed at elite level, winning a silver medal at the 2023 Haringey Box Cup (Europe's largest tournament) and I was brought in as a sparring partner for Chris Eubank Jnr ahead of his successful World title fight in Saudi Arabia in 2024.

I currently work part time as a strength and conditioning coach and a personal trainer at my parents studio in Guildford, Surrey. The rest of my time is divided between studying and training in various fighting disciplines, whilst incorporating evidence based S&C practice in to my training, which has helped take me to higher levels of athletic performance whilst facilitating optimum recovery.

My goal is very simple - I wish to be remembered as the greatest of all time when I retire. I wish to also further my education in every health, fitness and wellness sphere so that once I retire from competitive combat sports, I can help as many people as possible to become the very best versions of themselves through evidence based means.

I personally Love and relish challenges. I am currently very much enjoying the Setanta BSc programme, but would very much thrive with the opportunity to move forwards to the MSc programme, despite my lack of years. Both of my parents are post graduate level in Sport and Exercise related fields and I have full support from them.

I'd be most grateful if you could consider my early application as I feel it is a challenge that I am personally ready for.