WHAT doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, it is a phrase that could well have been coined for Nathon Burns.

The Blackburn-born judo ace has had enough heartache, knock backs, near misses and bad times to make a lesser man walk away.

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Burns himself admits he has thought about packing it all in and getting a ‘normal’ job – after all, there is only so much one man can take.

But missing out on the London Olympics in 2012 (he went as a training partner) and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow back in August (he was first reserve) just serve to spur him on.

“I would be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about giving it all up and getting myself a job. A proper job,” said the 24-year-old. “But I know it will never happen because I won’t stop until I have succeeded and achieve everything I have set out to achieve.”

Burns knows the sport doesn’t owe him. That would be too simple. His aim is to achieve his goals and get to the Olympic Games in Rio in two years – but do so on his own terms.

“I went to London 2012 as a training partner and it was hard,” he said. “To be honest, I didn’t want to go. After missing out, it was probably the last place I wanted to be.

“But I am glad I went and I was there for my team-mates.

“I have had my knock backs, near misses and rough times. And some of it has been pretty depressing.

“But we all have had in one way or another and it’s how we use these downfalls in sport and in life that actually makes a difference.”

Burns is now busy trying to make a difference. The hard slog of qualifying for Brazil in two years time has already begun.

It is a quest that has taken him to the far flung corners of the globe.

He is currently in the United Arab Emirates taking part in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam then he is off to the Mauritius Continental Open and then Grand Prix events in China and South Korea – frantically searching for those all-important Olympic Games qualifying points.

Burns’ prospects haven’t been helped by the fact he goes into those qualifiers having just recovered from a serious ankle injury. But he hopes a recent three-week training camp in Japan will give him the edge over his rivals.

“I have just got back from a solo three-week intense training block in Japan to give me a strong edge and preparation for the start of my Olympic qualifying,” said the former Our Lady and St John High School pupil.

“Abu Dhabi is a very tough event as the world’s best will be there so it will be difficult as it is my first competition since the injury. But I am confident I can do well.

“I expect to win gold at the Mauritius Continental Open and the aim is to medal on the Chinese and Korean Grand Prix events.”

Burns, who competes at under 66kg, is a member of the highly-acclaimed Camberley Judo Club – a club he has been a member of since the age of 16 when he left school and left Blackburn.

Olympians Craig Fallon, Ashley McKenzie and Karina Bryant – who won bronze at London 2012 – are all members. McKenzie, Danny Williams and Owen Livesey all won gold at the Commonwealth Games.

Burns has had to lurk in the shadows while his club-mates have enjoyed their moment in the spotlight.

“I was gutted missing out and seeing them living their dreams,” said Burns who won the British Open in 2011. “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous but I just use it in the best way I can. It just makes me even more determined because I know my time will come.”

As well as having to compete against the best in the world, possibly Burns’ biggest opponent is funding – or lack of it.

He relies heavily on support from his parents, his club and MakeAChamp – a scheme that helps unfunded sportsmen and woman realise their dream.

“Saying I’m grateful is an understatement,” he said. “I am very lucky that my parents help me and my club is also a massive help and does what it can to support me.

“It is not nice to have to accept handouts but I am unfunded and that is unfortunately what I have to do. That is why I have signed up to MakeAChamp.

“It is a fund-raising platform for athletes. It is a way for us to reach out and explain what we do and what we are trying to do. It is also a way of asking generous people to donate small amounts instead of asking very few people for large donations.”

Burns comes from judo stock having been brought up on the mats at Beach and Shadsworth Judo Club run by his dad Joe Senior.

It goes without saying that dad is his biggest inspiration and the reason why he continues to chase his dream not matter what obstacles and challenges are thrown up.

“To be able to call this man my father is an incredible feeling,” added Burns. “He is my greatest role model and my inspiration.

“I wouldn’t be the judo player or the man I am without him. He is my mate and my mentor.”

Burns believes the hard work and sacrifices he has made since leaving his home town will pay off with a trip to Rio in 2016.

“I seriously believe Rio is my destiny,” he said. “If I get there is will be a massive achievement.

“Ever since I have been in judo, I have made sacrifices. From not going out with my mates to play because I was training when I was kid from leaving Blackburn when I was just 16.

“Even now, I only get back occasionally and that is the hardest thing because I miss my family.

“It does get me down at times and they are issues I have deal with.

“But I will never give up. These are the sort of situations that when you finally achieve your goals you appreciate them more.

“It is hard but if it was easy then it wouldn’t be worth doing it, would it.”