GEORGE Nye, aged 12 of North Tawton, is hoping for international honours, as he flies off to the WKC World Championships in Albufeira, Portugal tomorrow (Friday), fighting in the under 40 kg points category.
George, who goes to Okehampton College and attends the Te Ashi Do Freestyle Karate Club in Exeter, has been working hard in preparation for his biggest competition to date.
His father, Richard Nye, said: 'He's been training with the five times world champion up north this week. He's put a helluva lot of work in during the last few months, basically training every day.
'But he's very excited, and very relaxed about it.'
George recently won silver at the British Open Championships — a determined effort which saw him fighting against an opponent eight kilos heavier than himself.
He will be competing in the point sparring competition in the world championships, facing stiff competition from the Italian team in particular. The competition begins on Sunday, with the finals taking place on Tuesday.
'At the end of the day it's the luck of the draw,' said Richard. 'Unfortunately he has had quite a lot of bad draws but he's in the team because he's good enough, we will just have to wait and see.'
George, who also plays rugby for Okehampton U13s, gained his brown belt first tag this week at his club, so is only two tags away from gaining his black belt.
George would like to thank his main sponsors APT Ltd, South West Refrigeration, Earp Engineering, together with RTIS, Hatherleigh Rotary Club, Andy Ponsford and all other sponsors who have contributed to help with funding his new equipment/training and his trip to the world championships.