JHOVAN has turned his life around due to hard work, discipline ... and karate.
Jhovan Hanson, who celebrates his 17th birthday on June 11, punched his way to a black belt in just three years.
But the former Newsome High School and Sports College student – who is now studying sports science at Huddersfield New College – hasn’t always been a paragon of discipline and hard work.
He admits he was an angry child and had started getting into a lot of trouble at school until he met former World Kickboxing Champion Lance Lewis.
Jhovan was chosen to go to the Colne Valley Black Belt Academy to try karate through school after Lance had just started work at the school as an improvement officer.
Jhovan soon became a familiar face at the Linthwaite-based club where he channelled his energy into success.
He achieved his black belt in three years in freestyle karate – a feat not normally achieved in under five years – and has won the British Junior Championships.
Jhovan’s mum, Lisa, said: “The Academy has done so much for Jhovan and I’m so proud of all he has achieved.
“He has suffered something of a setback with his karate though. He is waiting for surgery on a shoulder injury following a dislocation a year ago. It is hard because he can’t train and he gets really frustrated, but hopefully he will make a full recovery.’’
One of Jhovan’s coaches, Niko Gjoka, said Jhovan was a “natural”.
“It’s not all about kicking and punching – it’s about discipline and concentration,’’ he said.
“He’s really turned his life around and become really polite.”
