A TEENAGER has won a place in the British boys' judo squad only two months after moving to the country.

Jan Gosiewski, 16, came to the North-East in September with his parents from Gdansk, in Poland, and has since been combining his AS-level studies with rigorous judo training.

Jan, who lives in Darlington and attends the town's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, has been accepted into the World Class Start Programme and will now attend regular elite training sessions around the country.

Earlier this month, he fought in the British Judo Association Junior Championships, in Stoke.

He was narrowly defeated in the final. Now he is training for the under-20 trials, which could lead to international competition.

Jan, who is studying maths, physics, chemistry, biology and general studies, said the judo had helped him settle into life in Britain.

"I train four nights a week on the mat, three nights at the Parks Club, in North Shields, and one night at Spennymoor, and also fit in general stamina training in the gym and swimming pool," he said.

"It's hard work but 'do-able' if you're committed."