As a boy, Ian was the victim of constant taunts and name-calling because of his "milk-bottle" glasses. Eye cancer had left him partially blind when he was six months old.
When Ian was seven, his parents, looking for a way to build his self-esteem, took him to a local judo club.
Ian says the coach’s attitude was, “So what if he’s got bad eyes? Let’s get him on the judo mat and see what he can do”.
“After four months, I was a different person,” says Ian. “Judo rebuilt my confidence.”
He was finally able to interact as an equal with other children his age. “I was accepted for who I was,” says Ian, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
“I was accepted as part of the team. The coach didn’t treat me differently from anyone else. Judo changed me from a shy seven-year-old to someone who would talk to people.”
It wasn't long before Ian developed a passion for the sport and realised he had a talent for it, competing and winning in both able-bodied and disabled competitions.
In 1995, he won gold at the Colorado World Championships in the under-86kg category.
The 36-year-old's best Paralympic result was in Athens in 2004, where he won silver in the over-100kg category.
More than a sport
Judo was developed in Japan by Dr Jigoro Kano towards the end of the 19th century and has evolved from being a martial art into one of the world’s most popular combat sports.
But there's more to judo than sport. The physical training, discipline and self-control required offer life-long benefits.
Judo is a great cardiovascular workout, improving stamina, general health and overall fitness. It sharpens co-ordination, balance and reflexes.
It has a strict code of ethics. Judo instructors and students are expected to demonstrate good character and honest conduct. Combat outside the training hall or behaviour that brings shame to a club lead to suspension or even expulsion.
Dr Kano believed that through judo, he could instil his students with an unshakeable belief in the value of teamwork. This is still the sport's guiding principle and can be seen in the respect competitors show each other.
“I don’t know many sports where you can sit down and have a drink with someone after a fight,” says Ian. “I’ve made life-long friends across the country through judo."
Judo is an ideal sport for all ages, men and women and attracts many disability groups.
“It doesn’t matter if you're in a wheelchair or have a learning disability. You can get on to a mat,” says Ian. “There are people around and clubs in your area willing to help. The only person stopping you is you.”
