Oliver Relton has been selected for the British Schools squad, with a little help from his film star hero Jean-Claude Van Damme.

The 16-year-old Joff Club (Peacehaven) member secured his place after winning a bronze medal in the national trials in the under-66 kilo event at Birmingham.

Oliver, from Denton, says he was inspired by watching the Muscles from Brussels star in films like Blood Sport and Hard Target.

He said: "I watch one of his films every week with my clubmate David Fermer because it fires me up. I'm not like him in build, I'm skinny, but because he seems unbeatable it helps me get into that state of mind. He is a role model."

Oliver is full of praise for the part Joff have played in his rise to a national squad player.

He said: "My family moved to Denton about a year ago so I joined Joff. The style of judo is more violent but it is a disciplined martial art.

"You have to have mental strength and be focussed. If you lose your temper you lose the fight."

Oliver is looking forward to squad training sessions.

He said: "I will be in there against the top guys in Britain so it will help improve me.

"I want to go all the way to the Olympics in 2008. I've got videos from Sydney, particularly Graeme Randall, who I admire because he takes risks and is unpredictable.

"I'm not really like that but watching him gives me the confidence to try something risky if it is required."

Relton came close to moving to the North East to pursue his judo.

He said: "The national judo academy is based up there, but I bottled it. It was too far from home."

Joff chairman Dennis Mitchell said: "It is fantastic news for the club. Neil Adams, a well known British Olympic player, came through the same system, so Oliver is in good company."

Joff won 23 medals with 25 players at the recent Sussex Schools Championships.

Fave raves of Oliver Relton: Music: Dance. Clothes: Smart casual. Films: "Anything that has fighting in it." Actor: Jean-Claude Van Damme (no surprise, there). Highlight: Getting selected for Britain.