Dereham biathlete Sean Watson, in his best performance to date, secured a GB place for the World Biathlete Championships in Monaco in September with an emphatic third individual place in the UK Championships held at Salford Quays in Manchester at the weekend.

Dereham biathlete Sean Watson, in his best performance to date, secured a GB place for the World Biathlete Championships in Monaco in September with an emphatic third individual place in the UK Championships held at Salford Quays in Manchester at the weekend.

Watson, 14, from Northgate High School, competed in the boys' group C category which involved a 500m run followed by a 100m open water swim, completed by another 500m run.

Sean got away well and came into the swim in second place. After a very cold open water swim when was in third place but lost another place in transition.

In the second 500m run the race unfolded as the competitors raced for the top six positions which would secure them their place to the World Championships.

As the athletes came out of the final run phase, the fast-finishing Watson moved into a medal position and booked his place in the GB Team.

Watson, who swims with Dereham Otters and runs for City of Norwich AC, clearly put away his 2007 disappointment when he missed out in an agonising seventh place and missed his selection by one second. Picture: SUBMITTED