IPPON king Harvey Burns showed off his best judo skills with victory over Britain's number one and a bronze medal at the British National Championships.

The 14-year-old Furness Judo Club star produced one of the best displays of his fledgling career at the English Institute of Sport, in Sheffield.

Fighting in the Cadet under-46kg weight class for the first time against youngsters up to four years older than him, Burns knew he faced a tough challenge in South Yorkshire.

But he showed some great judo skills and confidently won his first two fights by the maximum ippon score to put him into the quarter-final against the number one-ranked fighter in the country, James Resseigh.

Burns did not let Resseigh's reputation get in the way as he won again with a hold down by ippon to put him into the semi-final against Adam Vosper, from South Brent.

The South Cumbrian ace gave his usual 100 per cent and the fight went the distance, with Burns losing by a seven-point waza-ari late in the fight. Vosper went on to take gold.

The defeat left Burns to fight to fight for the bronze medal in the repêchage, against David Taylor, of Harris Judo Club, a bout he won easily with a great throw and hold down to take a well-deserved medal.

The success finished off a great year for Burns, who has being winning medals in ranking events all year to finish ranked fourth in Britain for his age and weight.

The bronze medal and ranking place secured him selection on to the England Judo Squad for 2017.

Burns will train at the British Judo Centre of Excellence, based at the University of Wolverhampton, in Walsall.

Some of the best coaches in the country are based at the centre, as well as a world-class sports science and medical team.

It is also has a world-class fully integrated performance environment, including a state-of-the-art dojo, strength and conditioning, sports science, sports medicine, and accommodation all on site, where Burns can gain valuable skills and experience for the future.