A GYM in Chester is doing its best to help change perceptions of wrestling and cage fighting.
Over the last 18 months, the Chester Boxers gym on Lightfoot Street has been steadily building an additional army of alternative fighters – thanks to the emergence of the Chester Submission Wrestling club.
And with the relevant facilities now in place, including a padded cage, ring and matted fighting area, head coach David Ives is able to proudly offer a range of classes in Olympic-style wrestling, Brazilian jujitsu and mixed martial arts (cage-fighting).
The Hoole resident is an experienced martial artist and set up the sessions after finding that no-one was providing such a service.
Now after seeing the club enjoy success in a recent national tournament, Ives is determined to continue to develop the skills of the club’s 50 members and prove once and for all that cage fighting is ‘not just a blood sport’.
Ives, 28, said: “MMA is a fast growing sport and our numbers reflect that fact.
“People are now starting to take it more seriously and realise that it isn’t just a blood sport.
“We do chokes, throws, holds, fight on our backs and use self-defence.
“There’s nothing else quite like it and it’s different from any other sport.”
At a recent tournament near Leeds, the Chester club was represented by Richard Ives, Mike Adams, Dan Lancaster, Lee Kelly and Vince Irvine – and they brought home a collection of medals.
Now the boss is keen to continue to expand and encourage potential fighters of all ages to take advantage of the unique club on their doorstep and get involved in one of the disciplines.
Ives added: “Initially I was looking for somewhere to train as there was nowhere in Chester, so I started my own up.
“Now I want to start children’s lessons up and we always welcome new people.
“Anyone can do it and you don’t have to compete in any of the sports – you can just learn techniques.”
For further information about joining Chester Submission Wrestling, call the club on 01244 342012.
