A Cumbrian boy has done his historic sport proud after winning the under 18 World Championship at Northumberland County Show.

17-year-old Myles Stainton, from Dent, took the title on Saturday, May 25 after facing down Aaron Younger, George Peacock, George Younger and skilled lightweight Robbie Pigg in the final.

Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling is a traditional sport within the Cumbrian counties and has been the highlight of the Northumberland County Show for decades.

READ MORE: Boy wins two events in wrestling competition at Ambleside Sports

This year it hosted the Under-18 World Championship which showed a superb display of skill, strength and manoeuvrability from all competitors.

Myles, who went to Kendal Academy, has wrestling 'in the blood' and comes from a strong heritage of Cumberland wrestlers in the form of his siblings, cousins and uncles - which includes famous wrestling champions - the Brocklebanks.

His cousin Rosie Hodgson took both the Under 18s Girls Wrestling title and the All Weights Ladies titles at the 171st Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show last year.  

His brother John-Lukas Stainton also won two events at in a wrestling competition at Ambleside Sports last year age just 11.

Sister Ellie-Ann Stainton also came second at Egremont Crab fair in the 10 stone championship.

The Westmorland Gazette: Myles with Howard Tindall - president of Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling"Myles has been wrestling for around 11 or 12 years since he was six years old," said Myles' mum Glenis Hodgson-Stainton.

"It's a gentleman's sport and they shake hands before they wrestle.

"Myles has take on this attitude as he has lost a fair few however he always says 'to be a good winner, you have to be a good loser.'

The Westmorland Gazette: Myles poses for photos alongside his opponents"He missed out on the under 15s because of Covid and on Saturday he wrestled some really good and bigger opponents in order to win.

"It's going to be a step up for him now as he reaches 18 as it is for his brother John-Lukas coming out of the under 12s.

"I think after the pandemic, some struggled to get back into the sport, but Myles really enjoys it and wants to keep it alive.

"A world championship is another level, it's his dream and we're really proud of him."