BRADFORD’S Khizar Rehman has finished runner-up in his first national wrestling championships.

The Bradford Wrestling Academy member, who is coached by Brett Hawthorn - part of a legendary Bradford wrestling family - lost in the final of the 125kg heavyweight category in the British Championships at Wright Robinson College in Manchester.

The 24-year-old, who only started wrestling 18 months ago, had a bye into the second round and defeated Ejay Nsugbe before seeing off second seed James Murray in the semi-finals.

However, Rehman was defeated in the final by Papa Tudor.

Hawthorn’s father Jimmy, who helps out with coaching at the academy and was aiding his son at the National Championships, said: “Khizar is a big guy, and we thought that he would do well after competing beforehand in some novice and intermediate competitions.

“A lot of wrestlers in Britain nowadays have foreign backgrounds, and he fought a Lithuanian in the final and lost narrowly, but getting into the final was a fantastic result, not only for Khizar but also Bradford Wrestling Academy.

“He is very powerful but has no fat on him and is very nimble. He has some fight in him and surprised us with how well he did.

“He met an ex-British champion in the semi-finals, and I didn’t think that he was going to beat him, but he did.” 

Bradford Wrestling Academy, established two years ago, is based at Underhooks Gym on Edderthorpe Street, off Leeds Road, which is a combat gym, also featuring MMA.

Hawthorn Sr added: “Brett has come into his own now, is a really good coach and has up to 50 children attending his classes.

“They start from five years old, and we also have plenty of adults attending too. Anyone is welcome.”

Classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm.