An Irvine lad has once again been crowned Judo champion after winning gold for the third time.

Ross Carswell, who has Asperger’s syndrome, once again won gold at the Special Needs British Open Championships on Saturday August 26.

The Irvine Judo Club member – who also starts studying Broadcast Production at university this week – said he was delighted to win once again.

Ross said: “It’s my third British gold. I’ve been doing judo for as long as I can remember. Probably over 10 years now.

“It was my mum’s pal who took her own son to judo and she told my mother about it.

“Then she told me about the club and I just got hooked from there.”

Proud mum Jan Carswell told the Times she was delighted with her son’s success in the sport.

She said: “This is his third year of winning it. Very proud is not the word I’m delighted for him. He works really, really hard at it.

“He goes to any of the extra training and anything else he can go to. He really sticks in at it and it has paid off again.”

Jan also thanked the Irvine Judo Club for helping Ross reach the top in the sport – as well as helping him through the condition.

She added: “The Judo Club has helped a massive amount. Any autistic person is the same. Whether it is art or sport or anything, if they find something they are good it, it gives so much confidence.

“It’s really good for him. Anyone with Asperger’s or autism, if they find something they are good at it’s huge and the Judo Club are brilliant with him.”