Teenage Cumbrian karate kid Brandon Carr will compete at the European Senior Championships next month after he won bronze at the Cadet, Junior and Under-21 Championships.
After being beaten by a Spanish opponent, Carr, from Alston, became eligible to fight in the Repechage as the Spaniard - who recently won a bronze at the senior World Championships - reached the final.
Carr beat athletes from Belarus, Croatia and Slovenia to claim the bronze on Sunday in Aalborg, Denmark, in the Under-18 to Under-21 category.
It was an historic medal for England, too.
“I’m actually the first English heavyweight to get a European medal in more than 20 years,” the 18-year-old said. “It’s nice. It was my first time in that category as well.”
In Denmark, Jed Thompson also represented England, as well as Carr, with both athletes members of Penrith-based Mark Holding Mitsuru Karate Club.
Chief instructor Holding praised the pair for their hard work.
He said: “Brandon’s medal was a result of that resilience and continued training.
“It was a fantastic result, I couldn’t be prouder. I’m sure both athletes in the future will excel and medal in a major event.”
But Carr now does most of his training in Yorkshire.
“Most of it is in Skipton because I live here through the week and study down here,” he said.
After his success in Denmark, Carr will now turn his attention to the senior European Championships in Guadalajara, Spain, which will take place March 28-31.
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