In 2004 Amir Khan hit the headlines for winning Silver medal for Great Britain at the Athens Olympics for Boxing…all at the tender age of 17. Now a professional boxer and avid Bolton fan, Amir takes time out of his very busy training schedule to talk to us about his experiences as he chose not to go to uni.
1. What has been your greatest achievement and what made it so special?
Winning the silver medal at the 2004 Olympics, and I was only 17 years old and the only one to represent England in boxing.
2. What else would you like to achieve?
Becoming a world champion.
3. What did you want to be when you were a child?
I’ve always wanted to be a boxer.
4. How did you find school?
I enjoyed school, it was fun and I made a lot of good friends as well as learning a lot.
5. What put you on your current path?
Dedication and commitment, my father took me to the boxing gym at the age of 8 it felt like home, ever since then I loved boxing and decided to take it on as a career.
6. How has your BTEC qualification helped you get where you are today?
It kept me active and occupied, as well as a good insight into other sports and sports science, you learn a lot more than you think you already knew.
7. Did learning both practically and at college make a positive difference?
Of course I’ve always said hands on experience is the best way to learn along with the paper work to help you understand better.
8. Would you recommend vocational qualifications?
Depends what career you want to get into.
9. Did your course provide you with the skills necessary to get on in your chosen career?
Yes fitness wise it did, it helped me understand how my body works etc.
10. What advice would you give to school and college leavers?
Stick to studying unless you have a natural talent and as soon as you get an opportunity go for it don’t let it go.
11. Did you have a role model? Who was it? And why?
My role Model is Muhammad Ali as he was the best ever boxer out there I wanted to be just like him, whatever career you are in, you want to be the best and try your hardest.
Thanks to www.dominicholden.co.uk for the image.
