The Redhog Rookie Wrestling Challenge, a novice tournament took place on Saturday 27 August 2011 at Redhog Wrestling Club in Poleglass.

Most people within MMA and grappling have heard of Freestyle Wrestling but many are not too sure, what it is about. To remedy this, Commonwealth and Talent Development Coach John O’Rawe arranged a competition for anyone with less than 3 years wrestling experience and our entry card had a great mix of freestyle wrestlers, grapplers and other mixed martial artists.

Stepping onto a wrestling mat is one of the most difficult things to do and this event for many was their first time taking part in a Freestyle Wrestling Tournament. Competitions are great; however, for novices these events are rare. Novice tournaments are for people of equal experience and are hugely beneficial for practising and demonstrating skills and techniques and learning some new ones.

“We weigh our successes against our defeats so we can see our strengths and weaknesses and improve on them. To get better we must test ourselves and events like this are how we do it and by competing with others on an even level will enable you as an athlete to build confidence in your skills”, stated Coach O’Rawe.

Everyone really enjoyed the event and the experience of a competition and all teams wrestled admirably, they should be very proud of their achievements. The Redhog Rookie Wrestling Challenge is the first of it’s kind in Northern Ireland and for Redhog Wrestling Club and was a roaring success.

“I hope to arrange more competitions like this in the near future and would like to thank everyone for supporting Redhog Wrestling Club’s first Novice Competition”, stated Coach John O’Rawe.

Medal presentations went to all the competitors, coaches, kids, parents and the teams from Evolve Martial Arts-Derry, AVT-Ballymoney, Waterside Sharks Takedown Club-Derry, Redhog Wrestling Club, Belfast-Lisburn.

If you would like to find out more about the Olympic Sport of wrestling and clubs in your area, visit the website: www.redhogwrestling.org.uk

The Redhog Rookie Wrestling Challenge Results and winners:-

• Redhog Wrestling Club
• Redhog tournament advanced news item