WINNING a gold medal while wearing your country's colours has always been an achievement never to be forgotten by any sports personality at what ever level.

And when that level of personal glory is attained at the tender age of just 17 - which is what local boxer Bradley Saunders has gone and done - then question marks have to be raised as to where he goes next.

Bradley has his father, Jeff, as his coach. So if the youngster ever questions his ability there are always a few encouraging words from Mr Saunders in his son's ears.

But thoughts of that nature should not even enter Bradley's head because, on current form, he is surely on course to clinch a dream of eventually turning professional.

And Jeff, a former amateur boxer himself, is convinced it will happen, he said: "I've coached him since he was about eight-years-old and I've seen him develop.

"When he was 12 he went to Russia and beat the best two Russians. Since then he has gone on to fight in New Zealand, South Africa, France and Ireland.

"People were saying back then that we should go to the bookmakers and put money on him becoming a national champion - he is now, so I should have done."

Bradley originally boxed out of Spennymoor ABC before the South Durham club were formed.

And, although South Durham are only just a year old, they can already boast four No 1s.

As well as Bradley, Gary Fox is North-East Counties champion, Joe Davison is North-East champion and Paul Warnett is the British Novices' champion.

But it is Bradley - also coached by Alan Robinson, John Martin and Colin Richardson - who is taking the international scene by storm.

The Sedgefield youngster's gold medal came while representing Young England at the Four Nations tournament at the Everton Sports Centre in Liverpool.

He had to overcome Welsh champion Craig Dyer and he did so in emphatic fashion.

Bradley was one step ahead and in the third round he turned defence into attack.

His superb left hook-cum-uppercut into the ribs made Dyer collapse in pain for the contest to be halted.

But his gold medal was just the latest piece of silverware in an already successful season.

The labourer, for a local joinery firm, won the Junior ABA title at the first attempt to go with his four national schoolboy crowns which earned him a special champion of champions belt.

And Jeff believes there is plenty more to come from Bradley on the international scene - even though Saunders Snr has to sit in the stands.

"When he used to fight for England at schoolboy level I was allowed in the corner," said Jeff, 41, who stopped fighting 15 years ago.

"But now he fights for Young England it's different and I have to sit away from the ring and look on."

There is also another boxer in the Saunders family - Jeff Jnr. And the 11-year-old also claimed a gold medal at the Bolton Box Cup 2003 recently.

Karl Thompson, 14, also claimed gold and another three fighters from the club earned silver medals.

* Anyone interested in joining the growing in reputation South Durham ABC club should contact Alan Robinson on 07960 564005.