Dartmouth Academy Year 7 student Oliver Smith represented his school at the 2013 British Schools Judo Championships in Sheffield on Saturday, March 9.

Having been unexpectedly moved up a weight division at the weigh-in, Oliver was reclassified from under-46kg up to under-50kg.

Oliver was fighting in the combined Year 6 and Year 7 group, having come sixth as a Year 6 student in 2012.

Not fazed by the step up in weight, Oliver despatched all of his opponents bar one and managed to take the bronze medal.

After losing his first fight, Oliver steeled himself with a fierce determination to not let that happen again and progressed steadily to the podium, bringing success not only to Dartmouth Academy, but also to Oliver's judo coach Ray Brown, head coach at Torbay's Ronindo Budo Kai Judo Club.

Ray said: 'I am very proud of Oliver; he works hard at his judo training and this result is due to his dedication and commitment.

'He is steadily becoming a force to be reckoned with, not only at county and area but now national level'.

Winning a medal at National Schools Championships was for Oliver a very proud achievement and he now knows that he can express himself successfully at the very highest level.

This is for Oliver undoubtedly his best achievement so far and his medal will take pride of place at home. Oliver may also get an invitation to train with the national judo squad as a medallist at the Championships.

Oliver's dad Nick Smith said: 'The fights were absorbing enough, however, the medal presentation was very moving and hearing Oliver's name and Dartmouth Academy being read out to everyone in the ICE Arena at Sheffield was an incredible moment.

'He's worked very hard for his club and coach and now achieving at national level will undoubtedly inspire others who Oliver trains with.

'I'm a very proud dad and yet again, deeply indebted to Ray Brown for his coaching and conditioning which has brought Oliver on into a fit and determined fighter or in the correct terminology, judoka.'

Oliver went to Blackawton Primary School before moving to Dartmouth Academy in September 2012 and Oliver is very pleased at the continuing support given to him with his extracurricular judo activities.

This support proved its worth when Oliver was exceptionally permitted absence for the day before the championships, so that he arrived at the arena refreshed and fully focused.

This undoubtedly helped Oliver in the preparation for such a prestigious event.

The next item on Oliver's judo agenda is grading for his 10th mon which, if Oliver passes the grading examination under the strict conditions set by his judo coach Ray Brown, this will move Oliver up to his green belt and will establish him as a dedicated and gritty judoka.

As well as running sessions in schools, Ronindo Budo Kai run judo and aikido classes at Dartmouth, Totnes and Torbay.