Norbert Gawrysiak may have only been introduced to taekwondo two years ago, but he’s wasting no time in climbing through the ranks.

The 17-year-old Northampton teen had previously trained in kickboxing prior to making the switch, finding that the Korean martial art's style better suited his kicking-dominated skill-set.

And Gawrysiak plunged head-first into the action, making up for any lost time straight from the off.

“I’ve been competing ever since I started - nationals and abroad,” he said.

“I did one in Belgium this January, and also got selected for the GB development squad last year and was re-selected this year as well.

“I won the nationals last year in the seniors, even though I was still a junior. I also won at Belgium at the start of the year, at the Keumgang Open and then obviously getting into the GB development squad two years in a row (has been a highlight).”

And things certainly aren’t letting up – Gawrysiak’s goals are clear to him, and the only way he’ll achieve them is by carrying on down the same path.

“It’s just competition after competition really,” he continued.

“At the end of the year we’re going to Germany for a competition after one in Nottingham.

“I’m also always trying to get into the full-time academy, so that’s always my goal, and then from there, progress and progress.

“I want to be in the Olympics in 2024 - that’s what I’m aiming for.”

Norbert’s cause is also being helped by The Nottingham Building Society, who are teaming up with charity SportsAid to support 50 local athletes as they try to find their ‘time to shine’, with each receiving £750 of funding.

Having already donated £240,000 to SportsAid to help athletes buy equipment, travel to competitions and receive the training they need to be the best they can, The Nottingham Building Society are now also helping athletes on the path to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, and beyond.

And for Gawrysiak, who makes a four-hour round trip to Stoke with his mum twice a week for training, the funding has been a huge help for the whole family.

“[My mum] supports me so much and inspires me to work harder,” he continued.

“She’s a single mother with three kids, so she works a lot for us. She never makes it to my competitions, but she’s always there to support me in every other way.

“Sportsaid funding has been a life-saver.

“The support that they give is amazing, because not everyone gets this opportunity, especially someone like me who isn’t well funded, it overcomes a barrier, which is money.”

Nottingham Building Society and Harrison Murray teamed up with SportsAid in 2013 to help future sports stars get their time to shine. Visit thenottingham.com to find out more.