Didcot teenager Ben Watson has been selec- ted by England for the Commonwealth Youth Games in India next month.

The 18-year-old St Birinus School club member is just one of three English lifters who have been called up for the Games at Pune, near Mumbai, on October 16.

And he has a genuine medal chance, being ranked third in the 77k section with a snatch of 106k and a clean and jerk of 132k for a total of 238k.

However, he will have his work cut to take gold as Canada's Paul Dumais is top ranked with a snatch of 125k and a clean and jerk of 157k for a total of 282k.

Watson will be joined in India by Manchester's Josh Fargal, who competes at 85k, and London's Jack Oliver, who will be lifting in the 69k section.

Meanwhile, Watson and three of his clubmates have triumphed in Britain's Strongest Youth compet- ition.

With clean and jerk results submitted to the organisers from performances recorded at their club, Watson came out on top at 77k with Peter Dutton first at 69k in the 17-year-old age group.

St Birinus's four-timer was completed by Robert Green, who triumphed at 56k, and Eddie Chambers at 50k in the 16 year age group.

Now the quartet have been invited to take part in Britain's Most Powerful Youth competition at Crystal Palace on Saturday, November 8.

That event also involves running, throwing and jumping as well as clean and jerk.