URMSTON teenager Tyler McKenna has been appointed as the world's youngest ever international karate referee.

The 18-year-old St. Ambrose College pupil was awarded his prestigious international refereeing blazer and badge at a European championship series event at Verona in Italy.

He has also now been enrolled on Trafford Community Leisure Trust's roll of honour for this global achievement.

Training and competing in top level karate and based at the Seishin Do Karate Club in Stretford, Tyler has fought at at European junior level.

Tyler said: “I was disqualified for excessive contact in the European Championships. I have to say a decision I did not agree with at the time, but in hindsight and now with one year's experience as a referee, I suppose you could argue the man in the blazer got it right.”

Tyler admitted: “I am more likely to make my mark in international competition and maybe even go to the Olympics or World Championships, as a referee. I am a good karate player, but you have to be great to compete at the very highest level.”

He added: “I have been welcomed into the refereeing fraternity with open arms. Both fellow referees and competitors have been very supportive, but you have to be careful not to become too close; one of the key skills is never to be swayed by the coaches from sidelines, no matter what they say or more often shout, but always just to say what you see.”

He added: “I don't feel in awe of any of the karate players I am refereeing even though I have followed some of tjem since I was a little boy. A fight is a fight and you should be very much in the moment.”

St. Ambrose College headmaster Michael Thompson: “Tyler will make a great referee. He has a natural calmness and authority about him and is very much respected by all at everyone at St. Ambrose. It's a stunning achievement to become the world's youngest international referee, a feat I am sure we will recognise in our own sporting awards.”