A 14-YEAR-OLD swimmer is following in his family’s footsteps after striking gold twice this summer.

Joseph Stout, who lives in Astley, won the under 14s 200m butterfly in the British Summer Championships in Glasgow in July.

He followed that up by winning the 3,000m open water event at under 14 level at the Swim England Open Water National Age Group Championships 2019 in Rotherham.

The St Mary’s Catholic High School pupil Joseph, who represents the City of Salford Swimming Club, is coached by his dad John and Adam Naylor.

Leigh Journal:

Joseph in action

Leigh Journal:

Joseph with his open water gold gold medal

He said: “It was great to win the races. I now want to hold my titles in my next races and I am going to an open water camp in Majorca as well.

“I could not have won the events without my dad and Adam.

“I get up early and train 13 hours a day and they have to be there with me. I am really appreciative of that.”

In Glasgow, Joseph also qualified for the finals of the 400m and 800m freestyle races and the 100m butterfly event.

Joseph’s dad John, 49, who is the aquatics development manager at Salford Community Leisure, is head coach at his son’s swimming club. He was crowned the 200m British butterfly champion at under 16 level in 1986 and was a member of the English and British swimming youth team aged 15.

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His brother Phillip, Joseph’s uncle, also won the British under 16s 200m butterfly in 1996 and played for the British youth water polo team.

John added: “I am incredibly proud of Joseph.

"He would like to go as far as possible and aim to compete at the Olympics in the future.”

John also praised Joseph's school for being flexible in allowing him to fit in his training.