ONE of Pembrokeshire’s brightest boxing talents has further enhanced his reputation after representing Wales in the British Schoolboy Tri Nations Championships on the weekend.

Alex O’Sullivan, 13, qualified for the event by becoming Welsh champion in April, and on Thursday, travelled with the rest of the Wales squad from their base in Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, to Doncaster for the Championships.

After making the 41.5 kilograms weight cut on Friday morning, Alex agonisingly lost a split decision to the England No 1, meaning he missed out on a place in the final but received a bronze medal and his first ever Welsh vest.

And despite admitting disappointment at the narrow defeat Alex, who was supported in Doncaster by his parents Wayne and Moira and a host of other family members, plus coach Graham Brockway, was upbeat about his recent progress.

“This season has been such an experience for me,” he said.

“I was against a very good English fighter and lost a close fight on a split decision – but picked up a bronze medal and a first Welsh vest and hopefully there will be many more of them to come.”

Alex also told Telegraph Sport how grateful he was to Graham and his parents for their support with his gruelling schedule – that includes training six times a week, travelling to Swansea every Monday night for sparring practice, plus weekly sessions at Merlins Bridge ABC and doing his own fitness work.

“Graham has been giving up his own time to do extra sessions with me and I can’t thank him enough for everything he’s done,” he added.

“Him and my dad have put in so much work for me and are the best boxing coaches I could hope for.

“I also want to give a special mention to my mum Moira, who prepares all my dieting food to make sure I make the weight cuts for my fights.

“And finally, thankyou to all that came up to England to support me and to those who were supporting me from home.”

Dad Wayne also praised his son’s commitment and said the Tri Nations was a ‘great experience’ for him.

“He was against a very good fighter and it was a real learning curve – and it’s a good sign that he’s disappointed,” he said on Monday.

“It’s not easy for a boy his age to be so disciplined with his diet but he’s stuck at it well. He’s been training hard, and Graham has had him in doing extra sessions with Mickey McDonagh and Charlene Jones.

“The standards they set can only help him.”

Wayne added: “He’s had an amazing season, being crowned Welsh champion and a British bronze medallist - and to say we are proud of him is an understatement.”

Although the event marked the end of Alex’s competitive boxing season, he will now continue training and will be targeting further national honours next year.