Marine Commando Chris has a real sense of perspective

There’s no chance of Chris Sherrington being intimidated by passionate crowds at the Commonwealth Games.

The 30-year-old judo heavyweight is part of the Scotland team that will compete in Glasgow this summer.

And fighting for a medal will seem like a picnic compared to seeing action as a Royal Marine Commando in Iraq.

Chris recalls: “I’ll never forget the day we went over the border from Kuwait. The ground was shaking. The oilfields went up. The whole sky started to cloud over. It’s experiences like that you carry with you.

“There’s a great line from the film, Jarhead: ‘The soldier remembers his rifle. His hands may do many other things, but he always remembers his rifle.’ That’s the same for me. The experience you have, you always remember.”

Chris has been a full-time athlete for the past eight years, with the Marines allowing him to concentrate on judo as part of their ‘Sports Draft’ scheme. Success hasn’t been completely pain-free, but having comrades who saw action in Afghanistan helps give him a unique perspective.

He says: “Unfortunately, some of your mates don’t come back. I’ve got lots of friends who have come back from Afghanistan with missing limbs. The thought of that kills me.

“But it won’t stop me doing my job. If the Marines call, I’ll come running. The boys that you serve with are the best in the world at what they do, and that’s the group you joined. It’s the Marine mentality. You focus yourself and get the job done, no matter the cost.

“Here I am six operations later, receding hairline, dislocated toes and fingers. But I’m here and ready for the Commonwealths. The Marine mentality is vital to me doing what I’ve done.

“I go up every month to 45 Commando in Arbroath and see the boys. They’ve really backed me up and sorted me out. The Marines originally saw the potential in me a big guy who loves scrapping and is really hands-on. I put everything I’ve got into the sport. I had to make the Commonwealth Games to have my Sports Draft extended and I made it.”

Although Chris is a full-time judoka, he can’t resist the occasional reminder of military life, and trips from his home in West Lothian help remind him of his younger days.

He said: “Every chance I get, I go camping and I take all my military stuff. I go walking up in the Pentlands. I never planned on being an athlete, but I’m the type of person who believes that, if you’re genuinely good at something, you should follow through with it.

“You have the potential to inspire people, and show them the way.”