England judo player Casey Belsey is making the step up in class look straightforward after clinching silver in only his second senior outing.

The British junior silver medallist recently turned 18 and now competes alongside the world’s elite.

Last weekend he was competing in Holland, in the Zuidland Open, and he went the distance against Belgium’s No.1 ranked senior, losing by just a single point.

Belsey’s only other senior showing saw him clinch fifth place in the Valencia Open.

He said: "My opponent in the final was ranked around ninth in the world, so I definitely put in a good performance and couldn’t be too disappointed.

"I was a bit gutted but just pleased that I performed so well. I won four of my fights and lost just the one by a small score."

Casey, competing in the 60kg category, won all four of his fights with clear ipon scores."