YOUNG Tae kwon do star Max Cater is confident that a home crowd can be key as he looks to go toe-to-toe with the best on the planet at this month’s World Grand Prix in Manchester.

The 18-year-old, from Southampton, left, has enjoyed one his finest seasons to date this year at 58kg with victory both the Bosnian and Swiss Opens.

It is also a year that has seen the youngster represent Team GB for the first time after he was selected as part of the squad that went to the first European Games in Baku.

Next up for Cater is yet another competition at the highest level in Manchester and he admits he is better placed than ever to claim a medal.

“I’ve had a really good season so far,” he said.

“Competing in front of a home crowd is going to be amazing and I really can’t wait.

“My hope is that I can win a medal.”

Cater’s path to elite level sport began at a young age when he divided his time between tae kwon do and kickboxing.

But after London 2012 he decided that the Olympic stage was the one for him and he insists he has never looked back.

“I used to do tae kwon do when I was five but I was doing kickboxing as well but then when I watched the London Olympics I wanted to be there,” he added.

“So that’s when it became serious and it’s led me to the junior programme and now the senior programme.

“I decided after London that I wanted to focus on tae kwon do because it is so dynamic and so fast and it’s amazing to do.

“I would love to medal at an Olympics and medal at worlds and Europeans.”

The World Taekwondo Grand Prix – featuring the very best Olympic and world champions – is coming to Manchester on October 16-18. Tickets on sale at www.ticketmaster.co.uk/WTGP