World at his feet

Lake Illawarra Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) wrestler Nicholas Poriotis looks to have a bright future ahead of him as he heads off for the World Junior Championships in Instanbul, Turkey at the end of July.

Nineteen year-old Nicholas has been wrestling for nine years and took up the sport after seeing it advertised at the club and being a fan of the television form of the sport, thought he would love to give it a go.

“I was a mad World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) fan and when I saw that wrestling was available at the club thought of following my idols into the sport,” Poriotis said.

“I soon found out that this style of wrestling is very different, but loved it anyway.”

Nicholas has been making steady progress through the ranks under the watchful eye of local coaching legend Don Brown and had excellent results in two leadup tournaments in Melbourne, which led to his selection in the Australian team for Turkey.

At the Australia Cup in May, the first selection for the World Championships, he won a gold medal in the juniors 66kg division and a silver medal in the senior 66kg division, while at last week’s Australian Wrestling Championships he secured his spot in the Australian team with two more silver medals in the 66kg Junior Freestyle and Junior Greco Roman divisions.

“To be selected to represent Australia in Instanbul is unbelievable and something that I am very proud of.

“It should be a lot of fun and a great experience,” Nicholas said.

Don Brown paid tribute to Poriotis for his dedication and effort he has put in to make the top level.

“Nick trains exceptionally hard, does exactly what is asked of him and benefits from the great parental support he enjoys,” Mr Brown said.

“In fact wrestling is a family passion as his younger brother and sister also wrestle and their parents are always there to support them,” he added.

Nicholas also paid tribute to the support he has received from the PCYC and the Shellharbour Sports Assistance Fund.

“Without the financial support of the Sports Assistance Fund there is a chance I wouldn’t have got this far, while the PCYC has been fantasic in supporting us as well,” Nicholas said.