Talent & training pay off

WARILLA teenager Nicholas Poriotis recently returned from a trip to New Zealand with a handful of medals in wrestling.

The talented teenager took up the sport after watching the wrestlers on television. His father took him to Lake Illawarra PCYC where he learned the martial art.

Nicholas brought home two gold medals and one silver medal from New Zealand.

He won gold in both the junior 60 kg freestyle wrestling and junior 60 kg Greco wrestling and silver in the seniors freestyle wrestling, a great effort as the seniors division is generally made up of those 21 years old or over.

The difference between freestyle and Greco? According to Nicholas in freestyle you can use your whole body in Greco you use only your upper body.

Freestyle is easier if youre stronger, he said.

Nicholas trains four times a week, twice a week at Lake Illawarra PCYC with coach Darren Steain, once in Sutherland and also at Boxing Works in the city on Saturdays.

Nicholas coaches wrestling at Lake Illawarra on Thursday nights.

He said most wrestlers hit their peak at about 20 and feels he still has improvement left in him.

His long term goals include representing Australia in the 2010 commonwealth games as well as winning the points score with the Australian Wrestling Union this year.

As well as wrestling Nicholas is completing his Higher School Certificate at Lake Illawarra High and works part time at the City Beach Function Centre.

His father accompanied him to New Zealand and attends most of his tournaments. He said his mother and siblings are also a great support to him. Last weekend Nicholas competed in the National Championships in Adelaide where he came second in the 63 kg freestyle for 16-17 year olds.

He came up against the gold medal winner in his first match, which he said is always his weaker match however is still pleased with his second place and remains focused on the future.