A professional arm wrestler from Abercarn has won a bronze medal at the International Federation of Armwrestling (IFA) World Championships in Rumia, Poland.
Dean Bolt, 43, finished third in the super heavyweight masters category at the tournament, which took place between December 2 and December 6.
Known as “The Welsh Wolverine”, Bolt said: “I aimed to win, but I’m happy with my performance.
“No one from Wales has ever won a medal at this competition – I’m the first person from Wales to be at the world championships.”
The 43-year-old qualified for the tournament by winning a British Professional Armwrestling title in August 2018.
But Bolt admitted that taking up the sport was something he never saw himself doing.
Prior to taking up arm wrestling, Bolt did a lot of athletics before moving onto powerlifting. He said he sees it as a “natural progression”.
Bolt, who trains in Cardiff, as well as in Leigh, Greater Manchester, was one of five members of the UK team at the competition.
Bolt was able to fund the trip to Poland with sponsorship from Direct Healthcare Group, which is based in Western Industrial Estate, Caerphilly.