Top Honour for Beck Student

Mark, a year 9 student at Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College, has been chosen to carry the Olympic Torch in preparation for the 2012 London Olympics. Mark was chosen from thousands of applications both nationally and locally. Mark applied through the Coca Cola website early November, 2011. Mark, aged 13, is a British Olympic Freestyle wrestler and recently gained the silver medal in the 59kg weight British Championships in London. Mark has also three gold medals achieved at regional competitions and competed in international tournaments. From a young age Mark always wanted to wrestle and on seeing an advert in school he asked his parents if he could take it up. Mark trains at Bolton Olympic wrestling club and shows his commitment to the sport by travelling to Bolton twice a week. Mark’s achievements are even more special as he is partially deaf in both ears following an illness with meningitis when he was aged 3. Mark commented that: “I am very proud of my achievements and I believe that all my hard work has helped me to be successful. I could not have done this without the support of my family – my granddad takes me to my training and all my competitions; my little sister, Grace, is my number one supporter and my mum is always there for me and drives me on to succeed.” The school are hoping to send representatives to cheer Mark on as he carries the torch with other youngsters between Liverpool and Bolton. Mr Dickinson, Headteacher at Archbishop Beck commented that: “We are extremely proud of Mark for his achievements both in school and out of school. He epitomises the spirit of many of the students at Archbishop Beck. We wish him every success as he develops his sporting career.”