A RHOOSE wrestler is celebrating after he was selected to represent Wales at the Commonwealth Senior Wrestling Championships.

Iwan Baker will compete in Singapore on November 5-6 in the 61kg freestyle category alongside athletes fresh from the Rio Olympics.

At just 18-years-old, Iwan is the youngest of the Welsh contingent. Making this achievement even more remarkable is the fact that Iwan has had to fight back from two serious injuries.

This year, Iwan started out in a sling after dislocating his elbow in training. Iwan was back competing in April and won the Slough Open but disaster struck again when he fractured his collar bone whilst competing in the English Open in May.

This meant another period of rehab and intensive strength and conditioning in order to prove his fitness for selection for the Commonwealth Senior Tournament.

Gold at the Derbyshire Open last weekend secured Iwan's place and he is now training with the rest of the squad in Cardiff and London prior to their departure for Singapore on November 2.

Iwan who completed his A-levels in June will start a mathematics degree course at Cardiff University in 2017. He is currently on a gap year working hard to improve his ranking and enhance his prospect of selection for the Commonwealth Games to be held in The Gold Coast in April 2018.

Iwan is a self-funded athlete competing against full time professional athletes. He would like to thank the Fontygary Inn for their support and would welcome any interest if anyone is able to offer support or sponsorship to himself or the Welsh team in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games.

If you would like to find out more please contact 07969 463932.