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ACTION: David (right) is the English champion
David, 7, gets to grips with wrestling fame
Martin Dillon30/ 4/2004
LITTLE David Barnes is proving a giant in the world of amateur wrestling.
The seven-year-old from New Moston, Manchester, has won a national title only a year after taking up the sport.
He grappled his way to success at the English Junior Championships in the 23kg category.
David first became interested in the sport after watching American wrestling on television when he was a toddler.
He started by wrestling a lifesize teddy - and now he practises with his grandad.
David trained at the Y Club in Castlefield with coach Bill Cooper, the British Wrestling Association's junior team manager.
Childminder
Bill said: "He is a very talented child, and has got tremendous movement and balance, and he is a natural at the sport.
"If he continues to train and maintains his interest he can reach a very high level."
David's mum Michelle said: "He started watching the American wrestling with his childminder a few years ago and that's how his interest started.
"His favourite wrestlers were The Rock and The Undertaker and it has just snowballed from there.
"He soon started wrestling a lifesize teddy and I took him to a training class. He loved every minute of it and now he takes his granddad on.
"He really enjoys the sport and I was delighted he won the championship because he has only been wrestling for just over a year."
Grandad Allan Roberts said: "He loves wrestling and he is able to throw me round the living room now."
Do you know any young stars in the making?
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Did the authorities do enough to prepare for the icy conditions?
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30/06/2005 at 17:03
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