IT seems that Blackburn has unearthed another arm wrestling gem in Tony Kiss.

Kiss may have finished as runner-up in the Lightweight division of The Iron Arm Northern Novice Championships but he showed he has what it takes to succeed.

In only his second ever event, Kiss saw off far more experienced opponents before finally meeting his match in Stephen Kirlew of Milton Keynes who beat him in the final.

Now Kiss may follow in the professional footsteps of Neil and Elaine Pickup, Alison Cox and Darwen's Andrew Barker who are all travelling with the British team to compete in the world championships in Tokyo next month.

One man who is a little nearer to making the professional grade is Ian Stones of Great Harwood.

Stones was simply awesome in the Bantamweight division and now could be persuaded into turning pro.

The Great Harwood man lived up to his pre-tournament favourite's tag - and nobody got near him.

With that in mind, Tony Leigh of Blackburn should be content with his third place in the same section.

A total of 57 wrestlers took part in the event which was held at the Oak Tree, Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn.

Other local arm wrestlers to do well were Chris Murphy of Bacup, who came third in the Lightweight section, while Joy Coates of Trawden gained some valuable experience in the Ladies Open when she took on the powerful Dionne Taylor of Middleton. Neil Pickup, of the Northern Arm Wrestling Federation, who organised the event said: "Ian Stones was simply awesome and he should be turning professional soon. But while he turned on the style I would have to say the performance of the night was that of Tony Kiss.

"He beat people he had no right in beating and beat them easily. Considering this was only his second outing he did very well."

Fans were also treated to three Pro Challenge bouts included British Bantamweight number one Stephen Rogers who beat Allan Hare.

The shock of the pro fights was when Blackburn's former British champion Sean Deacon lost to new boy Paul Mitchell.

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