Mr Leitch was crowned the winner of international jousting competition Tournoi de L'ordre de Saint Michel in France.

Mr Leitch won the overall tournament as he was awarded the most points across the weekend. He competed in jousting – using solid and balsa lance, foot combat, skill at arms and the mounted melee. In May, before heading to the tournament, Mr Leitch told The Courier his love of the Middle Ages had led him to start jousting. 

“I came across the sport through my interest in the middle ages,” Mr Leitch said.

“I was looking into the medieval styles of martial arts and I had horses. So I eventually got onto to jousting. Pick any obscure sport and soon you’ll find you’re one of the best in the world.”

Kryal Castle’s Serena Eldridge said everyone was proud of Mr Leitch.

“He works hard and it's events like this that just demonstrate how lucky we are to have someone of his ability here in Ballarat," Ms Eldridge said.