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A schoolboy said he was left “speechless and shocked” after being crowned Britain’s best young strongman, despite having only taken up the sport ten weeks earlier.

Fifteen-year-old Keenan Pearson defeated rivals two years older than him to be crowned British Under-17 Strongman Champion.

He won the title on Sunday in Preston, Lancashire, despite entering the event “fearing” he would finish last.

The youngster, from Flimby, west Cumbria, said a chance meeting with local Rugby League player Ben Harrison put him on the road to success.

Pearson defeated 14 other challengers in the Kaos Gym final, scoring 63 out of 64 to finish five points ahead of the 17-year-old in second place.

The sport requires participants to lift weights of different levels in five categories.

They score points for how “clean” the lift is and for the actual weight lifted.

Weighing 22 and a half stone (142kg), the teenager can deadlift a whopping 39.9 stone (254kg).

Speaking on BBC Radio Cumbria after becoming the first Cumbrian to win the national title, he said: “I was speechless, I didn’t think I would win something like that because I’m new to the sport.

“I’ve only been lifting for ten weeks and I went to this competition and I’m honestly shocked.

“Obviously, I couldn’t have done any of this without my one-on-one coaching with Adam Rumney at the Cumberland Strongman Academy.”

The teenager, who attends Netherhall high school in Maryport, is now aiming to win more titles, starting with a charity event this month and the Cumberland Strongest Man competition in March.

He is also aiming to compete in the Scotland Strongest Man championships next year.

Netherhall deputy headteacher Mark Bailey said the school is “incredibly proud” of Keenan.

He said: “When I spoke to him the first thing he said was how grateful he was for the support he gets from his mum and dad.

“He is a hugely impressive young man whose physical stature is matched by his character and dedication to everything he undertakes.”