Damon Sansum
DATE OF BIRTH
February 18 1987
WEIGHT
-80kg
CAREER HIGH
Silver at the 2015 World Championships and bronze at the 2017 World Championships
CAREER RESULTS
2018 Grand Prix (Manchester)
Silver
2018 Grand Prix (Taipei)
Bronze
2018 Multi Europe Games
Bronze
2018 Sofia Open
Bronze
2017 French Open
Bronze
2017 President's Cup (Pan AM)
Bronze
2017 World Championships
Bronze
2017 Moldova Open
Silver
2016 Dutch Open
Silver
2015 Korean Open
Bronze
2015 WTF World Championships
Silver
2015 Dutch Open
Gold
2015 Luxor Open
Bronze
2015 Turkish Open
Bronze
2015 US Open
Gold
2014 Paris Open
Gold
2014 Commonwealth Championships
Gold
2014 Grand Prix (Astana)
Bronze
2014 European Championships
Silver
2014 Bahrain Open
Silver
2014 Luxor Open
Silver
2013 Paris Open
Gold
2013 German Open
Bronze
2013 Trelleborg Open
Gold
2012 German Open
Gold
About Damon
Former kickboxing champion, Damon Sansum has gone from strength to strength since his switch to Taekwondo in 2010.
Proving he has the ability to achieve all, Damon has consistently medalled on the Open’s circuit and in 2015 became the 3rd British male to win a silver medal at the World Championships in 2015.
More recently, he gained a bronze at the World Championships in 2017.
60 SECOND INTERVIEW
OTHER SPORTS PLAYED:
I was a kickboxer from the age of 11. But I also swam in local galas and won a North of Scotland bronze medal for shot putt when I was about 12.
WHEN DID YOU START TAEKWONDO AND WHY:
I started WTF style taekwondo a couple of years ago and I come from a kickboxing background but as taekwondo provides the only chance to represent your country at a kicking martial art, I took part in the 'Fighting Chance' talent programme and was lucky enough to get selected to join the Academy in Manchester.
AMBITION:
Overall goal is to win gold at the Olympics.
ROLE MODEL/FAVOURITE OTHER SPORTSMAN OR WOMAN:
Got to be my dad, Lee, who has a background in kickboxing and karate. He is still a British kickboxing coach. He was in the military police and also a bodyguard to a lot of celebrities and VIP's.
WHY SHOULD THE PUBLIC WATCH TAEKWONDO:
Since the rule changes there is a lot more scope to see head kicks and knockouts. So plenty of excitement.
IF SOMEONE GAVE YOU £1 MILLION, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT:
Firstly, take my girlfriend on a skiing holiday. But I'd like to open a chain of martial arts academies, similar to what we have in Manchester but more for the public. I've got a business and sport degree at Nottingham University so I'd probably also invest in property.
SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT DAMON SANSUM:
I play lead guitar and I'm thinking of writing my own songs, Princess Diana was also one of the people my dad used to act as bodyguard for.
CONNECT WITH DAMON SANSUM:
