JD Sports Fashion said profits doubled as demand for branded athletic footwear powered an "exceptional" performance in its sports shops.
The retailer, which has 580 sports outlets in Europe, said profits for the six months to August 3 jumped to £20 million from £10 million a year earlier.
The result also benefited from a cut in losses at its outdoor arm, which comprises the Blacks and Millets chains bought out of administration in 2012.
However, the 88-strong Bank clothing fascia continues to trouble the company as JD's fashion division slumped to a deeper loss of £8.2 million.
Overall, executive chairman Peter Cowgill said the group was well placed to deliver results towards the upper end of current market expectations.
Shares opened more than 4% higher following the record half-year results.
Kate Calvert, a retail analyst at Investec Securities, said: "Good numbers were expected following its first quarter trading update, but a 100% increase in half-year results has exceeded expectations.
"This has been driven by sports, which has had another strong footwear performance, and progress in Europe."
Profits in the sports division, which includes 348 JD stores in the UK as well as others in France, Spain, Holland and Germany, increased to £34.8 million from £26.1 million a year earlier.
It said all its sports fascias benefited in the period from the trends for branded athletic footwear seen over the last 12 months.
The operating loss in outdoor reduced from £8.9 million to £5.6 million after JD developed "clear and distinct propositions" for the two chains.
It is looking at options to develop its new concept Ultimate Outdoors fascia after opening a trial store in Preston showcasing its outdoor offering.
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