NOBODY has beaten George Hyde this year, nor even come close, but he has deferred celebrating for the time being.

The Weaverham High School student was a victor while wearing England’s colours last Saturday, seven days after successfully defending his national schools’ shot put title.

If 2016 was his best season, the current campaign is on course to top it.

“I’d like to get to the end of the summer unbeaten if I can,” said the 16-year-old.

“It’s strange really, because I don’t feel that I’ve been at my best.

“I guess it’s normal to have a dip in form here and there, and I’m lucky it’s not prevented me from winning.”

He twice putted further than 17m in the space of a week last month.

The second of those, at 17.06m, earned for him the under 20s title at the England Track and Field Championships.

John Kelly took gold in the under 23s category with a shorter distance.

Hyde, who had already claimed the county schools’ and clubs’ titles in his age group, then held onto his English schools’ crown in the inter boys’ category.

A put of 16.07m was enough, more than a metre clear of second-placed Lewis Byng (Warwickshire).

He was selected to represent England at the annual Schools’ International Athletics Board (SIAB) fixture in Dublin last weekend as a reward.

There the story was a similar one; this time his best of 16.14m again left his closest-rival trailing in the boys’ shot.

Hyde said: “I was only fourth at the same event last year, so I wanted to get a medal.

“Again, I didn’t think I performed that well but all of my attempts would have won gold so I can’t complain!”

A member at West Cheshire Athletics Club, he has his sights set on next month’s English National Track and Field Championships for under 17s.