Lifelong Portsmouth wrestling fan making his dream a reality as he prepares for first match

Portsmouth born and bred Harry Milligan, 16, will take on his coach on Saturday, August 3 at the Mountbatten Centre.

Harry started training to become a professional wrestler at the age of 12, after getting hooked on the WWE wrestling in America.

Since then, he’s followed a strict diet and not missed a single training session, as he pursues his dream of a career in the ring.

‘I started watching wrestling on TV with my brother and was soon hooked on it,’ said Harry.

‘Since then I’ve spent the past four years training, starting off with a junior group before I went on to train with the older class – that’s where it’s really stepped up.

‘It’s a lot tougher and you’re being picked up on a lot more mistakes; they watch us much more closely.’

Gearing up for his first match on Saturday, Harry will be coming up against his own coach, Andy Simmons, in a tag team match.

Harry said: ‘I’m very nervous but really looking forward to it – this is something I’ve wanted to do for many years now.

‘It’ll be a good match though, I can’t wait to get into the ring.’

Training regularly at Portsmouth School of Wrestling, Harry has been preparing hard, and exercising every day.

He said: ‘I’ll go to the gym three or four times a week, and the same with the gym.

‘With my diet I go through stages of eating more to gain mass, then cutting down again – but it’s all mostly protein, like chicken.

‘I do it because I would love to become a full-time wrestler.’

Weighing in at 78.9kg, Harry’s favourite wrestler is John Cena – but he won’t be modelling himself on his idol anytime soon.

‘My trainer said not to be the second version of someone else, but the first version of me,’ Harry said.

The match starts at 7pm. Doors open at 6.30pm. Tickets cost £11 for adults, £8.80 for children and £16.50 for a front row seat.