Watford boxer Charlie Hudson admitted he had to pinch himself in amazement after claiming gold at the BUCS Gatorade Nationals.

The 18-year-old was in action at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge on Friday as the great and the good of university sport battled it out for BUCS Gatorade Nationals glory.

Hudson found himself in the final of the men’s Under-67kg category, going up against Ernest Wojcik from the University of Portsmouth for gold.

And the former Queens’ School pupil went on to climb the top step of the podium after beating Wojcik on points.

Wojcik was hotly tipped to take home the title, making victory all the more sweeter for Hudson.

“I’m over the moon, I can’t believe it,” said Hudson, who is studying computer science at the University of Bath.

“I’ve heard big things about ‘the Pitbull’ (Wojcik) and I knew I wouldn’t beat him on strength, but I’ve done enough.

“Different styles make different fights, he was the fighter and I was the boxer. Any other day he could have hit me with a big shot but luckily enough I managed to stay away.

“He stopped his guy in the semis and in the quarters he looked very impressive. I was hoping someone would send him out but I’ve done it the hard way – it means more now.”

Despite first taking up boxing at the tender age of ten, this was Hudson’s first taste of the BUCS Gatorade Nationals atmosphere.

But despite making his debut in the best possible way, the teenager admits that he is unsure as to where his sporting future lies.

“I started a long time ago when I was ten,” he added. “I’d been playing football but I was a bit of a wimp, so I thought I’d get into boxing to control my aggression and it turns out I was better at it.

“I’ve only started boxing again after three years after coming to uni, I thought I could actually win something at BUCS in my category so gave it a go.

“I’m going to have a little break and see where I go. A lot of my mates at uni like to try out different things and all I’ve done is boxing – maybe it’s time to become champion in a different sport.”

Gatorade is the exclusive nutrition and hydration partner to British Universities & Colleges Sports and headline sponsor of the BUCS Gatorade Nationals.

BUCS and Gatorade work together to educate student athletes on the importance of sports nutrition and hydration. Visit their website at www.bucs.org.uk/gatorade for more details.