Daniel’s Olympic dream in the balance

DANIEL Panczyszyn: hopes wrestling will remain an Olympic sport

WRESTLING:

OLDHAM wrestler Daniel Panczyszyn is desperate for his sport to remain part of the Olympic programme - so he can one day compete on the biggest stage for his country.

The 15 year old, who attends Oasis Academy Oldham, has won the British junior title in each of the six years he has been competing - which has spurred him to want to compete for Great Britain at the Olympic Games.

But wrestling could appear for the last time at Rio 2016 after events back in February.

The International Olympic Committee recommended its dismissal at a meeting in Lausanne, with wrestling to compete with seven other sports for a place in the 2020 Games at another meeting in September.

Panczyszyn, speaking after being named on the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes scheme for a fourth year, hopes to be given the chance to fulfil his dream.

He said: “I have got my mind set on that date and to win the main competition. It has given me a lot of confidence in my ability and it drives me to want to achieve even more.

“We don’t know definitely what will happen to wrestling as an Olympic sport, but I just hope it stays. It’s what every sportsperson dreams about - especially so in a sport like wrestling, where the Olympics are the highest level.

“I think Rio would possibly be a bit too soon as I won’t be at my peak by then. I need to fill out a bit more and I will probably be at my peak in 2020.”