News Page
Luke Eygenraam
Friday, 31 October 2003
Whyalla wrestler Rosela Webster wants to be an Olympian.
She recently won her division's National Schools Titles gold medal for the fourth consecutive time.
Webster, 15, attracted attention from Sydney-based coaches and other wrestling personalities, also winning the best performed female wrestler award at the titles held in Underdale last month.
After her win, she accepted challenges from the gold and silver medal winners in the boy's division of the same weight and age.
Webster defeated the silver medalist in one minute and 30 seconds and the gold medalist in two minutes and 10 seconds.
Her next goal is to represent Australia at next year's Youth Olympics.
"It was fun, I was a bit nervous at the start but I got better at the end," she said.
"The wrestling was challenging, I guess."
In her final match Webster defeated a female gold medalist three years her senior and 14kg heavier, in less than two minutes.
Webster's brother, 16-year-old Russell, claimed gold in the boy's 54kg division to take his third consecutive National Schools Title.
He then competed in the 60kg division just for the experience, easily defeating the silver medalist and losing narrowly to the gold medalist.
The Webster siblings also recently competed at the 2003 State Titles at Flinders University, claiming their fifth consecutive first place medals for a family total of 10.
Rosela said being a young female wrestler was a little weird, but a lot of fun.
"At school, everyone wants to wrestle me," she said.
"Sometimes I do just muck around with them and stuff.
"I think it is cool and unusual."