Six-year-old karate kid is youngest person ever to become second degree black belt - despite having arthritis

UK: He might be just 3ft tall but you don't want to mess with this little karate kid.

Tiny Jake Frood, six, has been hailed the youngest-ever to become a second degree black belt - despite suffering from arthritis.

Jake clinched his first black belt at the age of five when he became the youngest black belt in the world.

Now the pint-sized puncher has passed a four hour exam to obtain his second.

The young warrior battled through, on strong painkillers, to keep his juvenile arthritis at bay.

He also has a severe hypermobility disorder which can make his joints swollen, painful and stiff.

Jake started doing karate, aged three, after watching the cult classic Karate Kid film. The sport acted as an alternative to physiotherapy and he now hopes to train as an instructor while at primary school.

His proud mum, nurse Kerry, 33, from Leeds, said: "Although Jake was suffering from a flair up of his juvenile arthritis and severe hypermobility disorder at the time, he still managed to get through the four hour test.

"He was on the maximum dose of his painkillers throughout the test and struggled at times but his determination and positive mental attitude got him through it."

The martial art helps Jake's condition and keeps his legs supple.

Kerry added: "When Jake was first diagnosed with arthritis at three years-old his legs were so weak.

"He tried physiotherapy, but found it far too difficult.

"He had started martial arts by this point and, even though he was finding that hard too, the doctors told him to keep on with it as it would make his legs stronger.

"So he kept up with it and has flourished as a true champion. His legs are much stronger now too.

"He might be small but he is hard as nails, I'm so proud of what he has achieved."

Jake - who competes in British and World Championship Competitions - now holds a 'second Dan' black belt. There are ten levels of black belt in total.

He has amassed three bronze and two silver medals and one Championship Belt in British competitions and one bronze medal in the World Kickboxing Championships 2014 in London.