WINDSURFER Kieran Martin saved his best until last to bag a Youth Olympic Games bronze medal in Singapore – and he couldn't have been happier about it.

The 15-year-old from Cheadle went into the final day of racing needing to finish ahead of Korean rival Kim Chan-eui to guarantee himself a spot on the podium.

Martin achieved his goal in style at the National Sailing Centre by winning yesterday's medal race.

Despite the nail-biting conclusion to the competition – Martin was only a point ahead of Kim going into the final race – the Denstone College pupil insisted he was always confident of success.

"It's absolutely fantastic to have won the bronze medal. I'm really pleased," he said.

"I had a few nerves before the race, but once I was on the water it all went perfectly.

"I got a good start and just made sure I stayed ahead of him. He was pushing me for the first half of the race, but in the second half I was able to get quite far ahead. It all worked out really well."

In fact, Martin did so well yesterday he was close to pipping Hong Kong's Chun Cheng for the silver medal, finishing just one point behind him. Gold went to Mayan Rafic of Israel.

"It feels great to have got on the podium because I finished fourth at the World Junior Championships earlier this year," added Martin, who had rung his mum, Christine, immediately after returning to dry land after his race.

"It's been amazing being at the games and I'll have so many happy memories.

"It's been a great honour to come out to Singapore and be part of the very first Youth Olympic Games, so to get a medal as well is amazing."

GB national junior coach, Oliver Woodcock, was impressed by Martin's efforts.

He said: "Kieran did really well. He made a few mistakes in the middle of the competition, but came back really well.

"In the final race he didn't do anything wrong at all and in the end he nearly got second place.

"Next year he will move up and start surfing on the Olympic board, which will be a good step up for him.

"I am really confident he has what it takes to be thinking about competing at an Olympics one day.

"If he wants it he could definitely go a long way because he is a fighter."

While Martin was claiming his spot on the podium, fellow Cheadle windsurfer Jade Rogers was also finishing her competition on a high.

The 14-year-old finished 11th overall after finishing seventh in her medal race – her best finish of the competition.

Rogers had hoped for a top-10 finish, but was in no mood to be downbeat about her Far East adventure. "This has been an absolutely fantastic event," she said. "It has been nothing like what I thought it would be like and I have learned a lot from it.

"For me the aim is to keep improving and one day go to a senior Olympics because this has been a great experience."

Martin and Rogers will celebrate Team GB's achievements in Singapore during today's closing ceremony before returning home to the UK tomorrow.

LLOYDS TSB is a proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to the 2010 Youth Olympic Games. Go to LloydsTSB.com/London2012.