Witness a “neck-breaker”, “chokeslam” and a “dropkick” first hand when Europe’s number one wrestling academy hosts a family-friendly event in Ilford.

Ilford Recorder: Wrestlers competing at a previous Dropkixx event.Wrestlers competing at a previous Dropkixx event. (Image: Archant)

Dropkixx Wrestling hope to thrill visitors on Saturday with some “high flying moves” from some of its well known champions including Lazer Langden, Nemesis Tony Kemp and Lucas Jackson.

Among those billed is 20-year-old Frank Hale, who has been wrestling with the academy for over a year.

He said: “My earliest memory of wrestling was when I was three and I was watching it with my brothers. Since then I have always been a fan of it and always made sure I watched it.

“It wasn’t until I was about 17 that I actually began training, and with guidance from the former three-time British heavyweight champion, Jon Ritchie, I’ve been able to turn my dream into a reality.”

Dropkixx Wrestling Academy, which focuses on training wrestlers to the highest degree possible, has some notable former alumni including WWE’s Wade Barrett and TNA’s Brutus Magnus.

The Romford resident said: “My favourite thing about wrestling is the feeling you get when you first walk out to the ring, the excitement and rush of adrenaline as the fans begin to cheer and chant your name is incredible.

“Dropkixx events are always family friendly so everyone can enjoy them. There’s all the excitement of seeing the wrestlers and all the flashy high flying moves for the younger generation, as well as amazing and technical old school wrestling.

“The atmosphere is captivating and no two events are ever the same.”

Dropkixx originally started life under the ownership of Frank Rimer and Tony Scarlo in the late 1990s but it was when Jon Ritchie took the reigns in 2004, that things really got going.

Frank added: “We typically have between five and eight bouts or matches, including tag team acts and women’s wrestling. We also have a mixture of styles with cruiserweights, heavyweights and middleweight bouts.”

• Dropkixx Wrestling will be at Ilford Sports Club, The Pavillion, High Road, Ilford. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are £8 for adults and £5 for children. For more information please visit www.dropkixx.com.