Euan Burton - Q&A

Tell us about yourself and the sport you compete in..

I’m a 30 year old full time judo athlete who represents Scotland and GB in the -81kg (middleweight) category. I have been the British number one at my weight division for the last 8 years and have represented GB at the last 8 European and 3 World Championships as well as numerous World Cup events.

I also qualified for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and finished just outside the medals in 7th place. My best results to date are a World Championship Bronze medal in 2007, 2 European Championship medals in 2005 and 2007, a Super World Cup Gold in Moscow and a Super World Cup Bronze in Paris (2 of the biggest events in the judo calendar). I have also previously been ranked as the No.1 player in my weight category in the World. I am based in Edinburgh and train with other elite judoka at the Edinburgh Club and with the Scottish Institute of Sport performance squad.

How did you become involved in your sport?

I started judo as a 6 year old and immediately loved the sport. I was a very active kid and did lots of sport but the one that I consistently came back to was judo. I was a very shy child and i think that one of the main reasons that my parents took me to judo was that it is a sport full of contact and once you have had a little fight or wrestle with another kid it is easy to talk to them so i think it really helped with my shyness.

What does your weekly training programme consist of?

This really depends on the period of training I am in and what events are coming up but typically I would do: 4 judo technical/tactical/drilling sessions of 90-120 mins, 3 randori (judo version of sparring or fighting) sessions of 120 mins, 3 strength sessions (typically 2 based in the gym and 1 based on the judo mat), 2 judo conditioning sessions (gym and mat based) and up to 4 or 5 recovery/light CV sessions in a week. This would usually be in a 6 day period with the 7th day as a rest/recovery day. The light CV sessions and technical sessions are in the morning with strength and conditioning in the afternoon and the sparring/randori typically in the evening.

Which Maximuscle products do you use?

I use all of the following at some stage in my preparation though not all at the same time: Promax, Viper Turbo, Maxi-EFA, CLA-1000, Ache Free, Recovermax, Thermobol, Protrient, Glutamax, Creatamax Extreme.

How do Maximuscle products help you during your training and whilst you compete?

The products help me to get the most from each and every session and to recover as quickly as possible. They also help with my fight day nutrition and I believe can give me that extra percentage edge which is vital in elite sport. They also help me with my weight control which in a weight category sport is absolutely essential as I need to be as strong and powerful as possible without putting on excess weight which would take me beyond my fighting weight.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

My World Championship medal in 2007 was a massive highlight but also representing my country at an Olympic Games was a childhood dream of mine so to have achieved that was a great honour. I look forward to going one step further and being on the podium in 2012!

Who are your heroes?

What do you enjoy doing on your days off? I like to cook, enjoy listening to music and watching good movies and also when the weather permits, which isn’t often in Scotland, enjoy spending time near the coast in Edinburgh where I live or in Greenwich Park which is close to my girlfriends home in London.

How do you stay relaxed and focused when the pressure is on?

I truly believe that the best way to be relaxed is to know that you have done all you can in your preparation. When you have done that it gives you a confidence and assurance that nothing else can compete with.

What is your favorite Maximuscle product and why?

If I had to pick one product I’d say Strawberry Promax, it’s great tasting on its own or can be put into a variety of shakes/smoothies for a post training or contest day drink that actually tastes great and really works.

Do you have any future goals?

My main goal is to continue to develop and improve, if I can do that then my result goals of being European, World and Olympic Champion will have the greatest chance of becoming a reality.