Wandsworth judoka Winston Gordon admits he’s been taking tips from Sir Alex Ferguson as he bids to complete his recovery from a second career-threatening injury at next month’s World Championships.

The 33-year-old could be forgiven for thinking the judo gods were against him after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament late last year, seven years after first suffering the injury.

Gordon made his return at the recent Tre-Torri International in Italy, claiming silver before winning gold at a European Cup event in Slovenia.

And, having taken inspiration from Manchester United manager Sir Alex, Gordon is adamant he can put his injury well and truly behind him in Japan.

“Just the other day I was watching television and Sir Alex was talking about how he keeps Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes in good shape,” he said.

“I need to make sure the quality of my training is high to make sure my body stays in good shape.

“And I am not feeling too bad ahead of the World Championships. I was off for nine months but I have been coming back over the last couple.

“I think I am fitter, sharper and stronger than I have been for a while so I am really looking forward to the World Championships.

“I am running, sprinting, playing football so the training is all going in the right direction and I can’t wait for the competition to start.”

At 33 Gordon is the elder statesman of the 21 Brits bound for the World Championships however he remains just as much driven by the London 2012 Olympics as his younger teammates.

But while Gordon believes many will be hoping to competing on home soil in less than two years time just for the experience he insists results are of greater importance.

“There is a fair amount of excitement about the Olympics and it is good to have a lot of youngsters coming through wanting to compete,” he added.

“For them it is going to be a great experience. I remember competing at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and the atmosphere was electric.

“So competing at a home Olympics is going to be mind-blowing but I want to be on that mat fighting hard when the Olympics come and my priority has to be keeping my body in good shape.”

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