WHEN Devon Addison, pictured, was diagnosed with cancer it was a devastating blow for the Hampshire youngster - especially as he had to give up his favourite sport of kick-boxing.

But Devon has fought bravely back from cancer and has just won his first kick-boxing competition since going into remission.

Devon, 13, was diagnosed with cancer when he was ten and had to have nine months off school while undergoing treatment at the Piam Brown children's cancer ward at Southampton General Hospital.

This month he entered his first kick-boxing competition at Fleming Park in Eastleigh since returning to the sport a year ago - and won all four fights in his age group to take home the top trophy.

Devon's proud mum Yvonne, of Pat Bear Close, Redbridge, Southampton, said: "He'd been kick-boxing for a year when he became ill and he really didn't want to, but he had to give up. He won one trophy and about six medals in his first year of kick-boxing.

"He went back to kick-boxing about a year ago but he hasn't felt strong or confident enough to do competitions until now."

Devon, who goes to Redbridge Community School and belongs to the Independence Martial Arts Organisation, said: "I felt really excited and proud of myself when I won."