KIDDERMINSTER schoolboy Harry Chandler has been crowned the British Modern Biathlon Champion.

The nine-year-old from Holy Trinity School and Sixth Form Centre competed at the British Modern Biathlon Championships at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, Solihull, on November 25.

Holy Trinity PE Teacher Miss Dani-elle Gunn said: “Harry has worked so hard training and competing, which showed in his outstanding performance on Saturday and earning him the crown of British Champion.”

The British Modern Biathlon Championships for under-10, under-11, under-12 and under-13 athletes offer a great opportunity to gain valuable competition experience for school age athletes to improve run and swim times, which then are calculated for the British Schools' Modern Biathlon Championships rankings list announced in October, with those successful in qualifying invited to enter for the championships.

Miss Gunn added: “Many congratulations to all our students who took part and did extremely well, including Flora Middleton and Amelie Forsyth Ball who both attained new personal best times.

“Harry raced against top ranking swimmers from across the UK and our whole school community at Holy Trinity are so very proud of him.”

Harry said: "I feel really happy that I did so well and I still can’t quite believe that I’ve now become British Champion, especially when at first I didn't really think I could do it when I was against other swimmers that hold a title for GB. I would have been grateful to be in the top five. When I realised I was not only top for swimming but the run too I was ecstatic. My next challenge is to go back next year and defend my title."