20052005

“Hi Wullie, how is it that I always draw the coffin dodgers first” Wee John quipped as he strode forward to wrestle in the first round of the 13st 7lbs class? Don’t worry Wee man, Gary Neilson replied “A’hm still here”, his grim smile making his teeth look like coffin lids; Wee John Dolan only 23 years old and is probably the most remarkable wrestler in Scotland, he is also the teeniest. John Dolan won the European Championship in Backhold at 62kgs (9st 11lbs) he is 5ft 2ins tall and only weighs 54kgs (8st 5lbs), not only that, he also won the award for the best wrestler, in the championship but his opponent Gary Neilson (41 years old) is the National Coach and last year placed third in the World Veteran’s Judo Championship at 13st 7lbs. Wee John was well beaten, but several times he almost managed to coup his comparatively huge opponent, the wee man’s sportsmanship and courage are just typical of the spirit of our traditional Highland Games.

In the lightweight class (10st 7lbs) another reigning European Champion, Rab Clark (68kgs, 10lbs 10ozs) won the Ceres Plate and the Scottish Championship for the 10th time in 11 years, he also won the 11st 7lbs category, which made it his 30th first prize at Ceres Games since the Scottish Wrestling Bond began to compete in Scotland’s most historic Games.