HASLEMERE triathlete Oliver Pritchard is aiming to turn professional in his sport – despite being born profoundly deaf.

After stumbling into the sport three years ago, when a friend signed him up for the Guildford Spring Triathlon, he’s made a quick start.

Last summer, 22-year-old Oliver competed in a standard triathlon distance race in Arundel, West Sussex.

When the results came back, he was told he’d qualified for this year’s European Championships in Weert, Netherlands. He has also been offered a place at the 2020 Deaf Olympics in Japan.

Oliver’s now aiming to turn professional after he finishes his final year at Cirencester’s Royal Agricultural University and is looking for sponsorship to help him. He plans to raise money for charity and raised almost £500 for the National Deaf Children’s Society, in the London2Paris 24-hour cycle.

“Being sponsored would help me to travel, compete in more events and really challenge myself,” he said.

“I want to take on the best.”

* To sponsor Oliver, visit gofundme.com/etu-standard-triathlon-european-championships.