Video: Northern Ireland car repairer strikes world bronze at 'skills Olympics' in Lyon

A car repairer from Ballymena has smashed all expectations bringing home a bronze medal from the 'skills Olympics' in Lyon.

David McKeown was among 1,500 competitors from 80 nations competing in dozens of skills disciplines on the world stage at the WorldSkills 2024. The event was watched by over 250,000 spectators.

The 20-year-old, who works for his family firm James McKeown Accident Repair in Broughshane and trains at Riverpark Training in Northern Ireland, came third for Team UK in auto-body repair at the competition in France.

The event allows apprentices and vocational students world-wide to showcase their talents in areas such as engineering, construction and computer coding on the global stage.

Touching down exhausted from his efforts, David said he was ‘overwhelmed’ and full of pride, hope and plans for the future.