Bradford Wrestling Club shine in National Championships (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Tommy Hawthorn's too sharp in National Wrestling Championships

4:10pm Tuesday 19th February 2013 in Sport By Sports Desk

Bradford Wrestling Club won four gold medals and three silvers at the English National Championships at Wolverhampton, which attracted over 250 entrants.

Golds went to Riley Stesel, eight, in the 32kg juniors; Amanda Mikelsone, ten, in the 39kg juniors, Tommy Hawthorn, 17, in the 74kg juniors and Rostislav Legenzov, 21, in the 74kg freestyle, who beat Hawthorn in the final.

Runners-up were Damon Gill in the 60kg juniors and Ikram Sadeeq, 30, in the 57kg seniors.

Hawthorn, fresh from training in America, beat a skilful Russian over three rounds in his senior semi-final.

Tommy's dad Jimmmy, who is his coach, said: "Tommy didn't have the experience that the older wrestlers had but what he lacked in technique he more than made up for with his enormous strength and fitness.

"The senior wrestlers just didn't have an answer to Tommy's relentless power and determination."

In the final, Tommy wrestled clubmate Legenzov, who had only arrived at the club the week before from Lithuania.

Jimmy added: "He was many times the champion in his homeland and beat Tommy by a single point. I think Rostislav will be a very good training partner for Tommy."

Anyone interested in wrestling should contact Bradford Wrestling Club on 01274-610088.