Champion took up jiu-jitsu just seven months ago

A man who took up Brazilian jiu-jitsu seven months ago has become a European champion.

Enoch Ayo-Ajala, from Braintree, Essex, said he had been looking for a fun way to keep fit but ended up falling in love with the sport and training every day.

The 26-year-old market intelligence analyst took annual leave from work so he could train and take part in the European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship this month.

His dedication paid off when he won gold at the event in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ayo-Ajala told BBC Essex Sport Extra presenter Ian Puckey that his faith in God made him believe he was going to win.

"There are so many ways to get injured and so many things that can go wrong, and I'm very fortunate and I give thanks to God that none of those things are happening to me," he said.

Ayo-Ajala's second match saw him face tournament favourite Ibrahyma Dabo.

"He had accumulated more IBJJF points than the rest of the division combined, following gold medals at both the Paris Open and the Geneva Open, and outweighed me by 15kg," he said.

"Going into the match, I had already competed while he was fresh due to seeding advantages.

"Despite the odds, I was able to impose my game and secure a finish in under four minutes."

Ayo-Ajala, who has now set his sights on winning a global title, said he always had a love for martial arts and wanted to keep fit, which led him to taking up jiu-jitsu classes.

"I loved it from the first session, couldn't get enough of it and just kept on going and going – and I guess you see the results of hard work," he said.

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