Wrestler ready to grapple with Olympic torch

Daniel Panczyszyn with the Olympic torch

OLYMPIC fever is gripping Britain — and Oldham is no exception. More than 7000 people will carry the iconic torch on its round-Britain run before the July games. Here’s another of the local champions...

LIFE couldn’t be better at the moment for Oldham freestyle wrestler Daniel Panczyszyn.

For not only has he been selected to be a torchbearer for this year’s Olympic Games, but he has also targeting yet more British Championship glory after receiving a £1,000 cash windfall from the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes initiative.

The Bolton Olympic Wrestling Club ace will carry the Olympic flame on June 23 in Cheetham Hill.

“It’s really exciting for me,” he said. “It’s going to be an amazing day and I’m sure there will be lots of people coming down to support me.”

With five national titles already to his name, Daniel was already feeling bullish about his chances of making it six of the best in October.