An inspirational teenager with Down Syndrome has been crowned a sporting champion for his outstanding achievement in a 'mini Paralympics' event.

Faizan Bidiwala, from Ilford, received Panathlon's top individual honour at the 2014 Jack Petchey Outstanding Achievement Awards, held in the Olympic Gallery at Stratford City yesterday. 

The 16-year-old overcame language barriers and a life-saving heart operation at Great Ormond Street Hospital three years ago to compete in the Panathlon Challenge - a series of competitions involving over 4,000 disabled children each year. 

He was one of five children shortlisted and collected the trophy from triple-Paralympic medallist Liz Johnson. 

The Romford school pupil arrived in London three years ago from Pakistan with very limited English and a heart condition that left him short of breathe and hampered his participation in sports.  

Since the operation at GOSH, he has gone on to play boccia and cricket and become a member of Redbridge Panathlon team, who won the London Plate Final at the Copper Box Arena in June.

His father Danial Bidiwala, said: "I am very proud of Faizan and very happy for him to receive this award. 

"He is a very good boy, no doubt about it. Panathlon has helped Faizan, by giving him a platform to develop."