BOLTON wrestler Mark Cocker believes his performance at the forthcoming European Championships could decide whether or not he competes at the London Olympics.

The British champion will become the first wrestler from Bolton to compete at the Europeans since 1994 when he travels to Dortmund next week.

Cocker, pictured right, will fight in the 120kg category for Great Britain after impressing at the recent British Championships where he reached the final without conceding a point and then won the final with an assured display of power, technique and speed.

Having represented England at last year’s recent Commonwealth Games in Delhi, where he became the first ever English athlete to compete in both the Greco and freestyle disciplines at the same event, Cocker is one of a new generation of grapplers hoping to emulate former members of Bolton Olympic Wrestling Club and add to the club’s illustrious history which has seen the town develop a tradition in the sport spanning almost a century.

He said: “It’s difficult juggling a family, a job and training. I am still deciding whether I will try to qualify for the London Olympics and I’m just taking one competition at a time.

“But it has always been a dream of mine and if I do well at the Europeans it could become a reality. To represent my town and country at an Olympic Games would truly be an honour.”

Bolton Olympic Wrestling Club coach, and retired Great Britain coach Tony Morris said: “Mark started training as a junior at the club many years ago and has shown that, with dedication and a love for the sport, it is possible to compete at the highest level.

“He is a role model for the current juniors here and his success can inspire many generations to come.”

With the club recently being awarded regional and national Clubmark status, the only cross sports quality accreditation scheme for clubs with junior sections, and the Sport England mark of high quality clubs, the future of wrestling in the town looks bright.