A NORTH-EAST college student has become a champion kickboxer in just his second fight in the sport.

Rhys Smith, 15, of Peterlee, who attends East Durham College, has won the World Traditional Kickboxing Association Intercontinental Junior Muay Thai Boxing Championship at 51kg weight.

The WTKA Intercontinental Junior Championships took place at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge International Sports Centre on Saturday 23rd April.

Rhys, has only been training in the sport for 18 months, with the event being his first experience of competitive fights.

He studies on the college’s 14-16 Engage course and trains four days a week at Durham’s Unity Gym.

Rhys was said he was "extremely proud" of his achievement and is looking forward to more fights in the future.

He said : “These were my first real fights outside of the gym and I certainly wasn’t expecting to come away with the title.

“But once I got through my semi-final I knew there was a chance that I could go on and win the final.

“I’m over the moon and really proud of my achievement at Sheffield. I can’t wait to go on to my next fight which will hopefully be in the next couple of month.”