Backhold wrestler Scott Carson wins European Gouren title in France

Apr 15 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

TEENAGER Scott Carson returned with a gold medal and the European title in Gouren, after taking part in the International Federation of Celtic Wrestling European Championships in France.

Hamilton Backhold Wrestling Club member Scott (16), took part in the event in Brittany, where he fought at under-74kg category.

The competition is for under-21 players, and Scott was only just old enough to take part in the six-strong Scotland team, against fighters from 11 countries, including England, Austria, and Spain.

On Saturday Scott took part in the Scottish Backhold Wrestling Competition where, despite fighting bravely against older and more experienced opponents he narrowly missed out on qualifying from his pool to the knock-outs.

Team-mates John Anderson and George Temple picked up silver and bronze, respectively, while Gemma MacNeill picked up bronze.

On Easter Sunday Scott took part in the Gouren Wrestling competition.

Very similar to judo, wrestlers are required to fight barefoot, wear a special white shirt called a rochet and try to bring each other to the ground by grappling the other’s rochet.

Although Scott had little experience or practice at Gouren, he had taken part in judo for six years and that knowledge helped him to compete.

In the final Scott was up against the favourite, Martin Maussion from Brittany.

The two fighters had a hard, tactical fight that remained scoreless until it went into extra-time where Scott used all his experience to win.

Hamilton Backhold Wrestling Club practice at the Jock Stein Sports Centre, Hillhead, Hamilton, from 10am-11am on a Sunday morning and 8pm-10pm on a Monday night.