A TEENAGER returned home from the World Championships with a bronze medal around his neck.

Joseph Anderson, of Ponteland, produced a new personal best time of 6.45.70 to help Team GB to third place in the Biathle U15 World Championships, held recently in Egypt.

The Ponteland High School pupil finished 10th individually in the age category, and was the second of three counters for the GB team which earned the bronze medal. The combined time from the three counters was 19.53.60.

Getting his championships off to a good start, the Year 10 pupil and his partner Georgia Wood finished sixth in the mixed relay event in a time of 7.00.18.

After his fantastic performances in Egypt, he finished the competition year ranked first U15 competitor in Great Britain.

His year included competing in the European Biathle Championships in Germany at the end of July, and he also claimed a silver medal in the International Biathle in Madeira, Portugal, back in April. His appearance in Madeira was his first taste of international honours after earning a call-up by finishing seventh in the Team GB qualifying event.

Joseph joins his twin siblings, Jack and Georgia, in the sport of biathle. Both Sixth Form students at Ponteland High, they too compete at U17 level.

Georgia joined her younger brother in Egypt and ended the year ranked sixth in Great Britain after a new personal best time of 13.07.65, which earned her a 13th placed finish in her age category.

She just missed out being a counter for GB as the fourth finisher. The team finished second to claim the silver medal.

Jack was present at the championships but only as a spectator. He ended the year ranked 17th in Great Britain despite missing five of the six events due to a long-running foot injury which limited his participation up to the final ranking event at the end of September.

The Biathle Triathle European Championships return to Madeira in June where all three siblings will be looking for further success.

Joseph will find out if his efforts over the year have earned him the young sportsman of the year award at the upcoming Sport Tynedale Awards, which will be held in Hexham’s Wentworth Leisure Centre on Sunday, December 9.