Choc-out blow: Mum hides sweets from Olympics hopeful Josh, 21

By DAWN MORRISON
Published on 16/07/2012 12:00

AT TIMES he was tempted to swap his pursuit of a gold medal for a Gold bar.

But young boxer Josh Taylor managed to show admirable resistance as he fought off the snacks – and now he intends to land a few knockout blows.

The Prestonpans 21-year-old’s successful battle to earn a place in Team GB for the Olympics saw his mum hide the biscuits as his sweet tooth threatened to disrupt training.

Josh is one of six Scots stars to feature in a documentary charting the lives of Olympics and Paralympics hopefuls in the countdown to the Games.

The lightweight, who has just returned from a training session in France, told the News: “I was more nervous about taking part in the show than I’ve ever been going into the ring. But after the first five minutes I started to relax a bit – the crew came to Portobello Beach to see our morning run and came along to watch me training in the gym.

“During the show I was also having a bit of trouble making the weight – I was hunting for biscuits and chocolate and my mum was hiding them from me.”

Narrated by Game of Thrones star Iain Glen, the programme will give viewers an insight into the demanding training sessions, ambition and determination it takes to compete at the very top level. Josh, who is coached by Terry McCormack of Lochend ABC Boxing Club, said: “Hopefully the episode will show just how much dedication goes into what we do, it’s not just a case of going to the gym each day, it involves sacrifices.”

The hour-long STV special – The Scots Going for Gold – will be broadcast on July 25 and will also feature 18-year-old Craig Benson, a swimmer from Livingston. It tells of the Warrender Baths club member’s parents getting up at 5am to drive their son to training.

Other hopefuls in the show include the 3000 metre steeplechase 
athlete Eilish McColgan, handball player Lynn McCafferty, canoeist Tim Baillie and wheelchair rugby player Mike Kerr.

Sarah Cran of Bank of Scotland, which sponsored the show, said: “The Scots Going For Gold is testament to the dedication required of athletes selected to represent their country at London 2012. We’re also delighted to see so many of our Bank of Scotland Local Heroes selected for Team GB and Paralympics GB and wish all GB athletes the very best of luck.”

And with less than two weeks until the launch of the Olympic and Paralympics, it can’t come soon enough for Josh. “I’m starting to get that crabbit feeling because I’m just so keen to get there – I’m feeling really confident.

“I can’t wait to get there and hopefully win gold.”