Scooter world champion speaks of 'adrenaline rush'

Jayden Sharman won the Scooter World Championships in Italy

A 20-year-old scooting star said he felt "on top of the world" after winning the World Scooter Championships in Italy.

Jayden Sharman, from Corby in Northamptonshire, beat two other British riders to the title earlier this month.

Sharman, who was born with a club foot and started riding as part of his recovery from hospital aged six, said his success was down to commitment and hard work.

"It was a moment I have been working on for 10 years," he said.

"I felt a bit of an underdog and people weren't expecting it.

"I was on edge; it was very nerve-wracking and I had this crazy adrenaline rush. All this is such a blessing."

Sharman punches the air after his championship win in Ostia, Italy

"It was very nerve-wracking and I had this crazy adrenaline rush," said Sharman

Sharman trains at Adrenaline Alley in Corby and travels the world, competing in places such as Italy, France, Spain and the USA.

He won the UK title in 2022 and became European Champion in 2023.

His road to stardom all began following an operation as a young boy.

"I came out of hospital saying, 'I want to ride my scooter.' I went straight to my local skate park and it started from there," he told BBC Look East.

"I just loved the process and learning new tricks.

"The scooter is the easiest place to start because you have more balance than a skateboard.

"Once you get into it, you realise how dangerous it can be and that's what got me excited.

"The adrenalin, the speed, the height, the fear that something can go wrong. But if you land it well, it feels amazing."

Jayden Sharman trains at Adrenaline Alley, which has produced Olympic champions such as BMX star Charlotte Worthington

Scooter 'not just a kids' toy'

Sharman first competed aged eight, turned professional at 13 and left school aged 16.

"When I was 14 or 15 I didn't want to be at school," he admitted.

"I didn't have a great experience, I just wanted to be at a skate park. This is a very short career - I wanted to make the most of this when I was young."

Sharman wants to encourage more people to compete on a scooter, whatever their standard.

"My focus is to show my tricks, that scootering isn't just a kids' toy or a form of transport to school," he said.

"I want to show that you can start with simple tricks. Don't look for the highest step - do the small ones first, then you'll see what's possible.

"Anything's possible with commitment and hard work."