A Rickmansworth school pupil was crowned tae kwon do world champion after he competed in the Cadet Blue and Red heavy category at the championships in Birmingham.

Joseph Todesco fended off stiff competition in the 15 to 17 heavyweight section to take top spot on the podium ahead of second-placed Mohammed Uzaire-Ali.

The 15-year-old St Joan of Arc pupil admitted he was surprised at how far he has come but he will be looking to defend his title next year.

He said: “It was a bit surreal and it hasn’t quite sunk in yet. I think others are pleased and excited as they say you are a world champion and everyone was very proud.

“My instructor was amazed at what I had achieved and I can’t quite believe I am a world champion myself.

“I think if I didn’t win I don’t think I would have gone back but having won the competition I definitely want to try and retain it next time around.”

Todesco has only been competing in the sport for a short period of time and said his brothers are an inspiration for him to continue to do well in the sport.

He first started going along to classes with his eldest brother Dan, 27, and the love of tae kwon do developed from there.

“I always wanted to try the sport but I never really got round to doing it on my own,” he said.

“Then one day my brother came home and it started on from there, then James and Lewis joined.

“It is hard for us to compete with one another all the time as Dan and I started earlier so they are in different classes.

“But when we are in some lessons together it is a competition and I think we do better but we all support each other as well.

“It is like a competition in everything we do but like I said we always support one another in anything we do.”

The Year 10 student also said he admired fellow Rickmansworth tae kwon do athlete Amy Clay as he looks to try and win another event in a few weeks’ time.

Clay has won three competitions back-to-back in the continuous ladies’ divisions from 2014 onwards.

Todesco said: “She is very talented fighter and she represented the Great Britain team which is something I can hopefully do one day.”

Todesco will be keeping a close eye on Rio 2016 as Lutalo Muhammad will look to gain one better from his bronze medal at London 2012 in the 80kg.

When speaking about his own Olympic aspirations, he said: “If I get the chance to head to an Olympics I will definitely go.

“I am aiming for Tokyo 2020 or beyond. Tokyo maybe too soon but it will be worth my while to try and push for a spot.”