A 15-YEAR-OLD wrestler is hoping to take things to the next level and compete in the Commonwealth Games in 2026.

Megan Kipling, from Blackrod, is no stranger to the sport, and she first became inspired by her younger sister, Mia, who has done this since she was four, and is now 12.

Megan is now an under 17s GB athlete in Olympic freestyle wrestling, under the banner of Bolton Olympic Wrestling Club.

After watching her sister from the sidelines, she decided to take the plunge and pursue the sport herself.

Mia also became a British champion this year.

Megan, a pupil at Rivington and Blackrod High School said: “Although, many of my goals are based around success, that’s not the reason I do what I do.

“I wrestle because its what I’ve grown to love doing, and I’m passionate about it.

“I know I have potential to move onto bigger and better things, and I’m lucky to have so much support from the people around me, ranging from my parents and family to my teammates and coaches, to my schoolteachers and friends.

“I’m grateful for them all.”

Her dad Edward, who is also a coach at Bolton Olympic Wrestling Club, says she wasn’t sure at first, but after seeing her friend also take part, “she fell in love with it”.

He added: “When she first started, I just said ‘give it a try and see if you like it'.

“She wasn’t keen at first, but now the rest is history.”

Edward also explained that at the start it isn’t about winning or losing, but the experience, which will prepare her for the big competition.

He added: “In her first competition, she lost all five of them.

“But at the moment international experience is what she needs. Wins and losses don’t matter at this stage.

“It’s mostly a family sport and very welcoming.

“We are all very passionate about it, and my wife Kylee is usually on the sidelines cheering on.”

Megan has already been recognised as a champion in several competitions – Welsh champion in 2017, British champion in 2017 and 2018, best female wrestler in 2018 and 2019, national development squad member in 2019, Northern region champion in 2019 and 2021 and fifth in a competition in Spain in 2022

She started off as a national development squad member in 2019, and then becoming a regional squad member in 2021, later progressing as an under 17s GB athlete.

She is hoping to try out for the national talent squad in July, which is part of the pathway to competing in Great Britain.

Megan said: “I would like to become more confident in myself as a wrestler, as well as a person.

“I would also like to have a successful Italy trip and compete in the European championships and qualify for the Commonwealth Games in 2026.”

Megan started out only training a couple of days a week, to now pushing herself to the limits, up to six days a week to pursue her dreams of representing her country on the largest scale of the Commonwealth Games, and the European championships.

Edward added: "It's absolutely unbelievable, and for me it's been such a proud moment.

"I'm also very lucky and proud to have both my daughters involved in the sport.

"They both absolutely love it.

"We are very close family."

When Megan isn't training, she likes to listen to music, and read books, and loves the social aspect of wrestling, where she now has friends all over the world.

She has most recently been offered a clothing branding sponsorship from Grey Wolf Attire.

Edward added: "It's fantastic to see and gets her name out there.

"It's picking up really well."

So far Megan has attended her first United World Wrestling competition in Spain.

She has also rubbed shoulders with some of the Commonwealth medallists in the local area.

Her next challenge is in a training camp over in Italy on July 3 and to help her get there she is aiming to raise some money via a crowdfunding page, which is www.gofundme.com/f/megans-sponsored-walked.

Megan has also challenged herself to walk up mount Snowdonia on Sunday June 25.