KINGSLEY SCHOOL'S Adam Palmer has come a long way since he first stepped on to a judo mat.

Ten years after his tentative introduction to the sport, the 18-year-old is on the verge of international honours.

As a member of the England under-20 squad, Palmer looks back with mixed emotions on his early days in Hertfordshire.

"It's a bit of a sob story," he said. "I got bullied at primary school and my mum took me down to the sports centre and said, 'What martial arts do you do?'

"They said 'we do judo', shoved me on the mat and said, 'We start in ten minutes'."

It proved the beginning of a sporting journey for Palmer who, by the age of 16, had become a first dan black belt.

Since moving to Devon seven years ago, he has developed his skills as a member of the Kingsley Judo Academy, in Bideford, and the Torquay Judo Kwai.

A rise though the rankings culminated with an invitation to train with the England squad at Sheffield in January.

"My aim is to represent my country at the highest level I possibly can," said Palmer.

His potential on the international stage was seen at the Zuidland tournament in the Netherlands this year, despite fighting in a higher weight category.

Weighing just over his usual under-73kg limit, Palmer had to fight up a division in the under-81kg class.

He still finished fifth in the under-18 competition and eighth in the senior age group, beating a French international in the second round.

Palmer's judo education was enhanced last year when he visited Japan's Tokai University, training under Yasuhiro Yamashita, a four-time world champion and Olympic gold medallist.

Only five young players from the UK were chosen for the six-week stay at the Matsumae Judo Juku.

"It was amazing, a proper eye opener," said Palmer.

"The standard of their judo is just insane and their judo players are treated like our football players.

"I met a guy called Sato who had coached and fought in the Olympics. He's just so good that nobody messes with him."

At 17, Palmer found himself being thrown around by Japanese students who were three or four years younger.

"With the humidity factor, we were drained of energy and had to be tough to stick it," he said. "It would have been so easy to say, 'I'm injured, I'm not training'."

Palmer's dedication has impressed Simon Ward, his coach at Kingsley and in Torquay.

"I've never met a more focused judo fighter," said Ward. "Adam puts his heart and soul into training.

"He is a well-respected club member and will always take time out to help and motivate other members."

Ward took over as head coach at the Kingsley Academy after his predecessor, John Davies, died last year. Palmer credits both men with helping his development.

A normal training week includes early-morning runs, gym work and three mat-based sessions, although Palmer's studies at Kingsley have taken priority this year.

"It's my final year of A levels and I've had to hold back on the competitions because they don't fit in around the exam season," he said. "I'm just ticking over at the moment."

When he resumes serious competition, Palmer will take part in the British Championships, in July, and an open international event, the Heart of England Championships.

He hopes to start university in September, either studying sports therapy at Hertfordshire or going to Bath, where he is already part of Team Bath's advanced apprenticeship in sporting excellence.