WELSH junior and senior champion Thomas Hawthorn is one of a five-member wrestling team selected to compete for Team Wales at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Wrestling in the 74kg weight category, the 18 year-old is the son of five-time master’s medallist wrestler Jimmy Hawthorn and the younger brother of Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games competitor Brett.

Hawthorn will be joined by Craig Pilling, originally from Bolton, who will compete in the 57kg category. The most experienced member of the wrestling team, Glasgow 2014 will be Craig’s second Commonwealth Games.

Competing in the 61kg category, Damion Arzu will also be competing at his second Commonwealth Games after representing Wales in Delhi. Having only been wrestling for six years, Arzu became involved in the sport after watching his younger brother compete.

The newest member of the team, Oliver Cole will be making his Commonwealth debut after winning a bronze medal in the British Freestyle Open in 2014.

The final member of the team will be Maesteg-born Sarah Connolly who will be the only female wrestler competing for Wales. Having started her career as a judo player, the 25 year-old made a successful transition into wrestling after winning gold at the British Open in 2009.

Chris Jenkins, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Council for Wales, the organisation responsible for selecting and sending a team to compete for Wales, said: “We’re delighted to be able to select a relatively experienced team of wrestlers to compete in Glasgow. Three of the squad are set to compete at their second Commonwealth Games, and even our debutant, Thomas Hawthorn, has a wealth of experience in competing for his country at just 18 years-old”