A YOUNG wrestler has earned a Scotland call-up following a spectacular season which saw her take the top spot at two national championships after battling back from a major operation.

Quin Mackie, 12, from Port Glasgow, has seen off opponents twice her age and overcome a rare medical condition to take home a glut of medals and trophies over the last year.

The inspirational athlete is now set to represent Scotland at the Breton International Backhold Championships in Brittany next year.

Quin will compete alongside her cousin and fellow member of Red Road Wrestling Club Lewis Rorrison.

The youngster's incredible year included a strong highland games season, which saw her win five first places, three seconds and take the top spot in the 8st 7lbs Scottish Championship.

She also found success in adult events, earning two second places and two bronze medals, while also becoming the youngest person ever to win the adult female 9st 7lbs Scottish Championship.

Quin, who has been wrestling since she was just four, told the Tele that some of her adult opponents had been surprised to come up against a 12-year-old.

She said: "You compete based on your weight category rather than your age, which means I can com e up against a lot of different people.

"In the female open categories which any girl can wrestle in, you can be up against anyone.

"At the Cowal Games I had to wrestle against one of the office ladies from my school to get into the final.

"I feel bad when I beat adults, I don't think they really like losing to a 12-year-old!

"I don't always come out on top but it's good to be able to take falls or wins off people who are that much older than me.

"Winning feels incredible, it just makes me want to keep going and focusing on getting better."

Gordon Mackie, Quin's proud dad and coach at Red Road, is looking forward to cheering her on in France.

He praised the young grappler for managing to bring home the succession of titles and big wins despite undergoing major knee surgery prior to the 2022 season to help remedy a lifelong ailment.

Quin was born with cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (CMTC), which causes her left leg to be four centimetres shorter than her right.

While the condition can cause problems with balance and strength, Quin's perseverance and dedication to training has paid dividends.

The budding sportswoman says she cannot wait to represent her country in France next February.

She added: "I'm really looking forward to it, that's an even bigger championship than anything I've competed in before and I'll be representing Scotland too.

"I'm going to be training constantly to make sure I do my best and hopefully I get more chances to represent Scotland.

"It was tough because before this season I had an operation and that set me back a bit.

"I couldn't bend my knee, which stopped me from training.

"When I competed in June the coaches in the other teams couldn't believe I was competing so soon after the operation, but I was determined to keep going.

"I just want to win and show that I'm good enough to do it."

Quin's family and friends are planning to hold a raffle and fundraising night on November 13 to raise funds for her and Lewis's trip to France.

Those who wish to donate to Quin and Lewis's fundraiser can contact Gordon by email at gordon.mackie22@yahoo.com