FERMANAGH teenager Naoise McManus has been selected to represent Northern Ireland at the upcoming United World Wrestling Commonwealth Championships in South Africa.

The 17-year-old Erne Wrestling Club member will compete in the under-17 57kg category at the championships in Polokwane, with the team travelling out in early December.

She will be accompanied by Erne Wrestling Head Coach, Bruce Irwin.

McManus has been working hard in preparation for the prestigious competition and recently attended a women’s wrestling training camp in Freiburg in Germany, during the mid-term break.

Next challenge

Her selection follows an impressive recent performance on the international stage, where she represented Great Britain and finished fifth at a major world competition.

McManus faced a difficult draw in the knockout qualification rounds against Russia but rose to the challenge with two impressive victories, winning 5-0 and 4-0.

She progressed to the group stages, where she defeated the defending world champion from Azerbaijan before also scoring points against the American wrestler who went on to claim silver.

Her only defeat came against the Japanese competitor, who eventually won gold and was crowned world champion.

McManus finished fifth overall in a category featuring 14 elite international athletes from across Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe.

The teenager continues to progress through Great Britain’s Performance Pathway squad.