A DEDICATED amateur athlete is currently champion in a national competition which combines swimming and running.

Zachary Callinan, 8, who is a pupil at Sandy Lane Primary School in Bracknell and member of Bracknell Athletics Club is the under 9s National Schools Biathle Champion.

After winning four times in the Great Britain Biathle Series held in York on Sunday, September 1, he is now ranked Number 1 in the country.

Levi Callinan, Zach's dad explained how his son believes if you train hard you will reap the rewards.

He said: "His motivational quote is 'everyone wants to be a champion but not everyone trains like a champion'.

"As a family, we are incredibly proud of his work ethic and determination. The success he has achieved thus far is purely down to his ambition to be the best he can be."

His dad coaches Zach on strength and conditioning which gives him a competitive advantage against other children.

The Biathle is a sub-sport of modern pentathlon which mixes running and swimming in real race conditions.

The competition consists of a pack start followed by a run and a swim before a final run to the finish line.

Zach trains five days a week at around 10 hours per week and will be competing in the Ascot Biathlon on October 19 at Bracknell Leisure Centre.

He hopes to qualify for the British Championships due to be held in Nottingham in November

Follow Zachs journey on Instagram @zboxer2028