A TEENAGER from Leigh who did not even expect to be at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games says he had to pinch himself after winning a bronze medal.

Gregg Warburton, from Westleigh, made his Paralympic debut in Brazil and is 'extremely proud' with the team’s podium position.

The team beat Turkey in the bronze medal match on Saturday having lost a semi-final clash with Spain on Thursday.

The 19-year-old bilateral amputee, said: “I am very proud to have represented my country and to have won a medal at the highest level of competition possible.

“My selection was a massive surprise.

"My goal was to make a reserve as this was my first time up for selection for the senior men's squad, so to be selected and then come away with a medal is just so special I still pinch myself that I was there competing in Rio.

“My journey has been a long few years of hard work, early mornings and a sore body.

“Especially the last two years where I, my teammates and men's team coaches really slogged it out at our central base in Worcester so the bronze medal is something to show for all those early mornings.

“To young aspiring Olympians or Paralympians I would say that anything is possible.

“It is not easy at all but if you are willing to make the sacrifices like social events and birthdays and you are willing to put the hard graft in, then anything is possible and you can get to the top and achieve success."

Warburton is no stranger to the Paralympic spotlight, as he was also one of eight players from the GB U22 to take part in the opening ceremony celebrations of the London Paralympic Games in 2012.

The former Westleigh High School student added: “My family and friends are incredibly proud and my mum, dad, brother and girlfriend came out to Rio to support the team and had a really good time out there.

“The team had mixed emotions after winning bronze, our goal was always very high so although we are very pleased to have won a medal as not many athletes get that chance, we still feel slightly sore from not getting that gold medal.

“Rio was really good and welcoming, Paralympics GB had done an incredible job making the GB block and flats in perfect condition for us.

“My plan now is to have some time off and recover from our gruelling summer schedule and hopefully getting selected for the European Championships next summer.”