BATTLING Ben Robinson has got the world in his sights after revelling in the bronze age.

The 14-year-old Joseph Rowntree School pupil has been earmarked to represent Great Britain at table tennis in the World School Games in France next year.

His likely call-up follows on from a bronze medal-winning performance at the Sainsbury’s School Games at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.

Robinson represented the North- East in both the team and individual class 11 disability table tennis competitions over four long days.

Not only did he achieved a superb bronze medal in the team event, he was also named “player of the day”

– a fantastic accolade especially as the Games were up to the age of under-19 and he is only 14.

The slender margin of a single point separated bronze from gold, which reinforced the North-East team’s potential as they were among the youngest in the event.

In the individual group, Robinson was up against the two leading seeds, both aged 19, and he lost only 11-7, 11-9, 11-7 to the top seed and eventual winner to just miss out on the semi-finals and another medal shot.

His spirited displays proved fitting reward for a training regime that includes one night a week at Sheffield with his coach Shaun Alvey, playing each Friday at Millthorpe Table Tennis Club with Tim Smith, and a training/coaching session with his dad Stephen and Joseph Rowntree teacher Barry Cornforth every Tuesday after school for two hours.

Cornforth, who works in the autism centre in the school and also runs the Sportability clubs for students with special educational needs, added that two hours are incorporated into his school timetable each week.

Said Cornforth: “It shows the utter determination, commitment and self-discipline Ben possesses.”