Harlem Eubank has proved sporting success runs in the family.

His uncle Chris was a world boxing champion. Now nine-year-old Harlem has lifted the under-tens fighting title at the British Championships at Crystal Palace.

His mum Kim said: "Harlem has told Chris about it and Chris is proud of him. Sporting genes seem to run in the family. His dad, Simon, was a boxer and Harlem's cousin Luke is a good footballer.

"Harlem got the idea to take up karate on his own. He saw a poster and liked the look of it. He has been doing it for about a year-and-a-half."

Harlem, a pupil at Middle Street school, Brighton, said: "It feels great to win a title. It was my first major competition. It was quite difficult. I was nervous. My coach told me to get in quick and pull out quick."

Kicks clubmate Luke Cannon, a Heathfield Community College pupil, grabbed gold and bronze medals.

He won the under-14s crown and captured third place in the team event representing Kicks Martial Arts Centres (London and South East).

He said: "It feels good. I've won a national title before and didn't find the individual event too hard. The team competition was tougher."

Clubmate Luke Gold, 13, a Varndean College (Brighton and Hove) student, took the individual bronze behind Cannon.

Zara Preston completed Kicks' success. The Heathfield Community College pupil, 14, won a team bronze in the under-16s' fighting competition.

Paul Simmons, coach to all the medallists and a former European bronze winner, said: "I am proud of all my fighters. They seem to have listened to what I've told them!"