We are delighted that Jamie is part of our BRIT Ambassador family to support and improve young adult mental health throughout the UK.
Jamie is an inspirational adaptive athlete who has represented Great Britain in Judo, won silver at the World Judo games and silver at the British Judo Championships.
“With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is a very challenging time for young adults and students; especially for those who are vulnerable, have disabilities or who have existing mental health difficulties.
Having been a former college and university student, and experiencing mental health challenges in my own life, I appreciate the importance of students and young adults receiving timely support and access to vital services when they need it.
It is a pleasure to be part of the BRIT Ambassador family and assist with their vision to support and improve the mental health and fitness of young adults and students in the UK, destigmatise mental health and champion equality, diversity and inclusion.
The annual BRIT Challenge is an opportunity for every UK university, college, specialist college and Students’ Union to embrace and encourage all their students and staff to take part in. I am delighted that the BRIT Challenge is inclusive and has been designed to enable young adults and students of all abilities to take part in many different ways; at home or on campus.
BRIT are delivering inspiration and encouragement to students and young adults with the support of their BRIT Ambassador family. I hope that Olympians, Paralympians, sports personalities, adventurers and explorers throughout the UK will join me to both encourage universities and colleges to enter teams and support students and staff as they complete their BRIT Challenge.
I would be delighted to support students and staff at The Sixth Form College Farnborough and the University of Reading as they take on the BRIT Challenge.”
Jamie Gane
World Judo Games and British Judo Championships medallist and adaptive athlete
Between 2010 and 2012, Jamie studied at The Sixth Form College Farnborough and went on to study at the IFS University College between 2013 and 2016.
After developing a chronic pain condition, Jamie made the difficult decision to undergo a below-knee amputation in 2016 and subsequently needed a revision surgery in 2017. As part of his rehabilitation following surgery, Jamie leant how to walk with his prothesis and also uses a Blade XT running blade.
Jamie competes internationally in Judo under the Special Needs/Adaptive category and without the use of his prosthesis. He is currently ranked second in the world.
British Judo do not currently have separate competitions for those with physical disabilities, so Jamie generally competes against those with mild learning difficulties. As a National level, Jamie achieved a silver medal at the British Judo Championships as a silver medal at his debut international Judo competition in 2017. He has also achieved a silver medal at the World Judo games in 2019.
Jamie is currently the only lower-limb amputee in the world to compete internationally and he hopes to continue representing Great Britain at international level.
Between 2019 and 2020, Jamie completed his PGCE at the University of Reading and now teaches mathematics in Basingstoke.
Jamie is also a current part-time student with the University of Reading, studying for his second Master's degree.
In addition to Judo, Jamie also competes internationally in Obstacle Course Racing. He is a Tough Mudder Ambassador and has completed the most courses out of any other UK adaptive athlete; he has completed over 70 Tough Mudder courses, four competitive 8 hour endurance races, as well as World’s Toughest Mudder – a 24 hour endurance race in the USA. Jamie has competed at the European and World Obstacle Course Race Championships and placed 3rd in one category against over 60 able-bodied athletes.
Jamie has now built up a community and family within Obstacle Course Racing and it is one of the large drivers in his life.
In 2021, Jamie intended to run the London Marathon, however due to a medical complication, completed the 26 mile course in a day wheelchair. Jamie then went on to complete the Great South Run in a racing wheelchair; completing the 10 miles in first place in the Men’s Wheelchair category.
In his personal life, Jamie is a keen musician and plays the piano, clarinet and sings. He volunteers with youth charities and gains a lot of motivation from inspiring others and he loves to reach out to others to help them achieve their goals.
To read more about Jamie, please visit his website.
To learn more about British Judo, please visit the British Judo website.
You can follow Jamie on Instagram.