AS if winning two bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games was not enough, Bolton Olympic Wrestling Club have had more reasons to celebrate in recent weeks.

That’s because one of their up-and-coming stars also excelled on the mat at an international event.

Declan Fisher, aged 14, represented Team GB at the World Carnival in Italy recently and picked up a silver medal in his category.

He said: “It was a great event and I was one of eight people in my division.

“My first match was against an Austrian wrestler and I beat him 12-0 with a pin.

“I then beat a Hungarian competitor 11-2 and it was tough match.“In the final I lost to an American competitor who was Oregon state champion.

“It has made me realise with hard work that I am at a higher level than what I thought I was at.

“I am very close to the Americans in this age-group so if I keep improving then I can possibly win at the top competitions.

“My long-term goal is to follow in the footsteps of Craig and Louisa by representing my country.”

It is not the first competition, Fisher has entered as he finished third in a Latvian tournament and runner-up at another contest in France.

Fisher added: “I want to be there at the next Commonwealths and I am going to work hard to get there. In the last two or three years I have been developing my technique and that has paid off.

“I have been doing the sport for the past eight years and I really am looking forward to having success at more international competitions.

z If you want more information about Bolton Olympic Wrestling Club then get in touch with Lee Meadows via email: leemartinmeadows@yahoo.co.uk