A KARATE kid has his sights set on becoming world champion after a top-three finish at a national tournament.
Black-belt Toby Kidd, 11, who attends Brentwood Preparatory School, travelled to High Wycombe to challenge rivals who were two years older than him at the National Prep School Karate Championships.
Speaking after the competition, Toby, who will join Brentwood School this summer, told the Gazette he has high hopes for the future but insisted his schoolwork will not be getting the chop.
Toby's father Simon Kidd is a former national champion and the youngster is coached by current England champion, Ryan Lambert.
Toby said: "Since I was four my dad used to tell me what he used to do when he was champion.
"From the beginning of the tournament I thought I was going to do well. At first I was a bit nervous but my dad and Ryan kept telling me I could do it and that I'm good enough.
"Because I'm taking my SATs now I've been putting in even more effort.
"I want to do what my dad did, become world champion and eventually – with karate possibly going into the Olympics – become Olympic champion."
Tom's school teammates, James Henderson, ten, and Oliver Mayes, eight, added to the success as the team finished fourth overall.
The team is also coached by Lambert and the former national champion Toby's father, Simon Kidd.
Mum Faye Kidd, 40, was pleased for her son but confessed to not being able to watch his bouts.
She said: "To be honest I leave that to his dad.
"I don't go to watch, especially when he's fighting boys two years older than him.
"Let's just hope he doesn't do boxing because that'd kill me."
However, she does think the sport has had a positive impact on her son's character.
"It means so much because of how much it means to him," she said.
"He trains so hard.
"He's really dedicated and he has a good outlook on life.
"His ethos is you get out of life what you put in.
"It's taught him some important life skills."
Mr Lambert, a three-time national champion, said: "They have been training so hard and this achievement is what they deserve after all the effort they have put in.
"I've been training this group for around six months – they all get on great and it's very rewarding to see them fight so well."
