TEAM GB taekwondo athlete and Rio 2016 Olympic hopeful Damon Sansum has been given a boost by Scottish family business Springfield Properties.

The firm has announced a sponsorship partnership with Sansum, from Elgin, who was recruited by Team GB in 2011 and has since won 16 medals, including seven gold.

He is reigning vice world champion, European vice-champion, commonwealth champion and currently ranked third in the world.

Springfield managing director Innes Smith said: “Damon is a fantastic role model.

“His success is the result of hard work and determination. He faces every challenge head-on and gets results.

“We are delighted to be working with him as he takes on his latest challenge to become a member of Team GB in Rio 2016.”

Sansum is currently training in Manchester to ensure he is in top form for the selection tournaments.

He said: “The sponsorship from Springfield will make all the difference for me. I’ll be able to concentrate on my intense training, which will help my chances of taking a gold medal back home.”

Having finished in the top eight at the Grand Prix final in Mexico this month, his chances of being selected for the 2016 Olympics are high.

He added: “Team GB won’t announce who will be competing in the Olympics until June. 

"I’m so excited but nervous at the same time – winning a gold medal at the Olympics would mean everything to me. All I can do is my best, I want to make my friends, family and Scotland proud.”