A PERSHORE teenager has won the British Taekwondo Championships after only practicing the martial art for one year and now plans to make a career out of the sport. 

Dylan Griffiths Johnson, a 15-old-old boy who recently took his GCSE's at Pershore High School has won three gold medals in the championships that were held in Bromsgrove.

Dylan won the gold medals with England as part of the team event in the 14-16 and 17-19 age categories and also won a gold medal in the individual events. 

Rachel Griffiths, Dylan's mum, said: "I've been teaching him martial arts since he could walk so probably since he was two years old, but he has only been doing Taekwondo for about a year. 

"He trains several times a week and won three gold medals, I couldn't be more chuffed. 

"The result was totally not expected, we were only really going for the experience to be honest but he had been training with the England squad since January in Stourport and was selected to compete. 

"He is a blackbelt in Karate but not in Taekwondo so we were all taken aback.

"I think what gave him the edge was having a good variety of skills, he does a little bit of Boxing but also Karate, Kick Boxing and Taekwondo."

Dylan currently practices Taekwondo in Pershore with Cobra's and also practices Karate in Peopleton.

The Taekwondo champion said: "I'm absolutely delighted, I think a lot of my friends were pretty surprised when they found out. 

"They knew I was into martial arts but I don't think they realised the level I was at. 

"I'm not a show off but they knew I was martial arts mad and I train every day except Sunday.

"I'm hoping to go to Worcester Sixth Form to study Sports Science but I would like to pursue a career in martial arts in the future as I'm not good at much else. 

"I struggle academically but it's nice to find something I excel at. 

"If I end up in the Olympics then great but at the moment I am focusing on competing in America next year."