BOLTON'S two wrestling clubs added to the town's rich tradition in the sport with a stunning haul of medals at the recent British Closed Championships.

Members of Sharples and Bolton Olympic wrestling clubs brought home a combined collection of 16 gold medals, seven silver and six bronze from the championships, which were held at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre in Wrexham.

The majority competed in the junior section, but there were two senior medallists, with Sharples' Georgina Nelthorpe claiming gold and Danny Fisher earning bronze for Bolton Olympic.

The senior event doubled up as the latest qualifier for England team going to the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Nelthorpe added the British Closed title to recent fine performances on the international circuit, and with just two qualifiers remaining – at Bucharest in Romania in July and the British Open Seniors in November – she looks to be in with a good shout of a place on the flight to the Gold Coast.

The were also some superb displays of wrestling from the town's up-and-coming juniors. All 12 juniors from Sharples earned a medal, with their haul including seven gold, three silver and a bronze.

Two pairs of Sharples juniors faced off in finals, meaning they finished first and second, respectively, in their weight categories.

Bolton Olympic's junior team, dubbed the Grizzlies, had nine national champions crowned, and also scooped three silver and three bronze.

Coach Lee Meadows said the impressive medal-winning display was the part of a full team, with many volunteers working hard behind the scenes to make it possible.

"I was incredibly proud of the team effort on the day, not just the wrestlers, but all the coaches, volunteers and parents at the club who make these fantastic results possible," he said.

"For each of our athletes to make it to the podium, and for us to have nine British champions is just an amazing achievement for the town of Bolton and everyone involved at Bolton Olympic Wrestling Club."

Sharples' full medal haul: Gold – Harley Martland, Josh Moore, Malachy O'Rourke, Ellis Crossley, Georgina Nelthorpe, Pheobe Cocker, Kelsey Barnes. Silver – Luke Bennison-Moore, Malachi O'Neill, Harvey Ridings, Ellie Martland. Bronze – Rhys Brooks, Amelia Berry.

Bolton Olympic's full medal haul: Gold – Grace Costello, Harry Meadows, Charlie Meadows, Tommy Costello, Megan Kipling, Jack Costello, Lucy McGrath, Stefan Gradwell, Mark Johnson. Silver – Harry Lancelott, Mia Kipling, Nathan Livesey. Bronze – Ruby Leader, Harvey May, Alfie Gallagher, Danny Fisher.