COUNTY taekwondo star James Moran led England to third place in Europe's most prestigious competition.

Moran, who was the winner of the 2014 Hereford Times Ted Woodriffe Award for his exploits last year, was the skipper of the junior male team that competed over four days at the EITF European Championships in Italy.

The teenager got through multiple rounds, including beating the current Junior World Champion – and captain of the Russia team – in the up to 63kg category.

That triumph won Moran a bronze medal in team sparring to become third in Europe in the 14-15 all weights division.

It comes on the back of him bagging a gold medal at the UKTA English Open Championship in Guildford, Surrey.

"I am very proud and humbled to say that I led my team to a medal in Europe's most prestigious ITF taekwondo competition," said Moran, who trains at Spirit Warrior in Fownhope.

"I train 35 hours a week and to see that all of mine and the team's hard work is paying off is a feeling of great integrity and responsibility."

Moran, who is from Withington, stepped up to the up to 63kg division after previously competing in the up to 60kg category.

Prior to that, he sparred in the up to 57kg section, where he won gold in the UKTA British Championship.s

In total, he won an impressive 10 gold medals in 2014, as well as a silver and bronze.

He also finished fourth at the ITF World Championships in Tajikistan and last year reached the quarter-finals at the European Championships in Belarus.

Moran added: "Every time I step into the ring, my thoughts are not of myself, but for my team mates and most importantly my family and anybody else who has helped or inspired me to be the best I can.

"I think of this because I never want to dishonour or disappoint anyone and thinking that I will do this for them motivates me.

"My head may be in the way I fight, but my heart is firmly placed ahead of anything else I feel or do in the ring."