A LLANDUDNO-BASED wrestling group are set to celebrate their tenth birthday in May.

Fusion Pro Wrestling are one of more than 200 wrestling groups around the UK, yet with many struggling to last more than a few years, have now hit the double-figure mark.

The group started back in 2012, with Llandudno resident Will Mason noting that there was little to no wrestling in the area.

"I moved to Llandudno in 2010, and had been involved in wrestling since 1999,” said Mr Mason, “There was only a couple of events that visited Llandudno each year, and the closest training school was located close to the English border."

North Wales Pioneer: Two competitors put on a show for the crowd.Two competitors put on a show for the crowd.

Soon, the group took off, with fellow wrestling enthusiast Adam Boyes joining and helping arrange training and events at the Ty Hapus Community Centre in Llandudno, gaining the attention of other wannabe wrestlers from around Wales.

Mr Boyes said: "It’s inspiring that something we created over 10 years ago has had such an impact.

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“It’s given those with a love for wrestling a means to chase that passion."

However, due to the group having to hire all the equipment for each event, it limited how much they could grow the school.

Mr Mason added: "Every time we needed a ring, we had to hire it.

“Wrestling is an unusual thing – it's not really a sport and not really theatre.

North Wales Pioneer: The club will be holding their birthday event at the same venue where it all began.The club will be holding their birthday event at the same venue where it all began.

“We fall in-between the two, so securing funding for anything is near impossible."

The school survived and wrestlers that were given a platform by Fusion Pro Wrestling have flourished, going on to find international success.

Dan Evans, Kid Lykos and Drew Parker have all become successful after making appearances for Fusion Pro Wrestling throughout the 2010s, and only last year, WWE star Kevin Owens complimented Fusion Wrestling graduate Sam Owen.

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In 2018, Will Mason was joined by Alan Ainsworth in the running of the group.

Mr Ainsworth, who had previously been a DJ, brought his expertise in running events as well as a large array of equipment to Fusion Pro Wrestling, making the shows look much sleeker and more eye-catching.

North Wales Pioneer: A winner is crowned at a past event.A winner is crowned at a past event.

“Four years ago I bought into [Fusion Pro Wrestling], it’s a genuine product run by genuine people, putting talent and fans first,” said Mr Ainsworth.

“Fusion is all about fun, friends and family.”

To celebrate their tenth anniversary, Fusion Pro Wrestling will be holding an event at the Ty Hapus Community Centre on May 21 at 6:30pm.

For more information, click here.