A SCHOOLBOY martial arts athlete has been selected for the English Karate Federation.

Rhys Daly, from, Runcorn, beat tough opposition to gain a place in the elite squad.

After a rigorous training session on Saturday, the 11-year-old was chosen to represent the northern region in the 10-11 age category.

The Beechwood Primary School pupil will be fighting his country for the first time in Rotterdam in December.

Proud dad Anthony, 46, from Weston Point, said: "We are very proud of Rhys. He is only a small lad but he is very athletic. He is fast and it is his speed that makes him stand out.

"He fights 13-year-old kids and gets the better of them. He is into fitness. He enjoys trampolining and ice skating."

Rhys started competing in karate when he was only six and has won more than 30 gold, silver and bronze medals.

He started at the North West Karate Academy in Warrington and recently moved to Sale Dojo in Manchester to develop his skills and expertise.

Anthony, an Eddie Stobart petrol tanker driver, said: "He was too advanced for the class so he had to join an elite squad."

Rhys, who starts at The Heath School in September, trains four times a week and travels all over the country competing.

The brown belt 3rd tab faces a challenging few months ahead of him representing his club at the British Karate Federation Four Nations in Leicester, the Cumbrian Open Championships, Dokan Tyne Tees Open and the Banzai Cup in Berlin.

Mum Lynne and brother Harrison, four, are proud of his achievements.

Former army boxer Anthony competed in 68 amateur fights and represented the 1st Battalion Queen's Regiment in Canada, Germany and across the UK.

"I nearly turned professional when I was 21 but financially I couldn't do it," he said.

"I want to give Rhys every opportunity.

"He is a lovely boy. He is a not a big headed kid who boasts. His school didn't even know he did karate until recently. Now his teachers are so proud of him."