WRESTLER Malachy O'Rourke is proving to be a fighting force on the European circuit.

The Sharples Wrestling Club grappler has produced a string of impressive performances representing Great Britain in recent months.

After catching the eye of the British selectors by winning British and English titles wrestling for Sharples, the Bolton teenager has justified his inclusion in the national team by bringing home a number of medals from international tournaments in the 45kg cadet category at European tournaments.

He began his run of success in September by winning gold in Latvia after beating opponents from the host nation (10-0), Russia (5-0 and a pin) and Latvia again (4-2), following up in October with another gold in Lithuania where he dropped one point in beating rivals from Russia (2-0), Lithuania (10-0), Latvia (10-0) and Lithuania (5-1and a pin).

In February he finished an impressive fifth in a United World Wrestling competition in Austria, with a 5-1 victory over a German opponent, and in March the Thornleigh College pupil won silver in Latvia with 9-0 and a pin, and 8-0 victories, respectively, over host-nation opposition and a 10-0 win against a Russian.

The 16-year from Breightmet, who has also been selected to train with the British wrestling development squad, is the latest in a line of top wrestlers to come out of Sharples, where head coach Eddy Kavanagh is England team manager and members George Ramm and Georgina Nelthorpe recently competed in the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Kavanagh said of Malachy: "He is a committed wrestler and athlete whose dedication is exemplary.

"This club keeps going from strength to strength and Malachy’s success in these competitions is testament to the club and his hard work."

Sharples had further success recently when Kelsey Barnes won bronze in the 65k category at the largest female wrestling tournament in Europe in Utrecht, Holland.