A YOUNG athlete is in the market for medals.

Joel Atkin will represent Team GB at the World Duathlon Championships, with the backing of Durham Markets, along with Azione Custom Cycles.

The Manchester Metropolitan University student, from Craghead, near Stanley, County Durham, will compete in the under 20s category at the prestigious event, to be held in Adelaide, Australia in October.

Over the summer, he won the under 20s super sprint and sprint distances at Fritton Lake Triathlon, Olympic distance at Maldon Triathlon and middle distance at the People’s Triathlon in Shropshire.

Durham Markets managing director Colin Wilkes said: “We’ve been enjoying watching Joel’s progress this year and are very proud that a local youngster is making his mark in an extremely competitive sporting field.

“We wish him all the very best for Adelaide and are confident that all his training will pay off with a performance he can be really proud of.”