Business student sets sights on becoming World Jiu Jitsu champion

Abdullah Taran at the World Jiu Jitsu Championship. Picture credit: Oxford Business College

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A business student from Farnham Royal is aiming to become a world jiu jitsu champion whilst also completing his studies at the Oxford Business College.

Abdullah Taran, 45, is a black belt in jiu jitsu and has won the British championship five times. He is also the reigning European champion for his martial arts discipline.

He hopes to improve on the World Championship bronze medal he won in America last year and is also grateful for the flexibility of his course which enables him to compete in tournaments while continuing to study.

The dad-of-one hopes to use his business education to provide free martial arts classes for children aged from five to 15 in the coming years.

He is currently in the second year of his bachelor’s course in business administration in the Slough campus of the business college.

Training and competing at the top level of his sport doesn’t come cheap, however. He is supported in his endeavours by his wife, Dr Nasim Malik and their son, Hussain, three, but travelling across the world for competitions costs him in the region of £10,000 per year. Competition fees alone can reach £200 per event. However, he hopes to take the lessons he’s learned as a fighter and in education to give back, by opening a martial arts centre which will offer free classes to children.

Reflecting on his efforts to become the best in the world while studying for a degree, Abdullah said: “It’s not easy studying business while fighting in tournaments around the world, but that’s not going to stop me.

“My goal is to be world champion, but there’s a lot of work to be done before I can call myself that.

“I’m so grateful for the support from Oxford Business College, and they’ve been behind me ever since I started my course.

“I’ve got so much I want to pass on to the generation of fighters, and my dream is to offer children free martial classes so they can enjoy this incredible sport.”

Mr Sarwar Khawaja, Chairman of Executive Board of Oxford Business College, commented: “We’re so proud of everything that Abdullah has achieved, and we’ll be cheering him on as he battles to become world champion.

“It’s no surprise that he’s got big plans for his own business once he finishes his studies, as so many of our students have got the entrepreneurial spirit and drive to succeed.”