LadySports ::: ERIN ANGEL ...

At first... and maybe even second... glance, Erin Angel would probably not impress many people as any sort of a threat. At a tiny 4'11" and 127 pounds (or 9 stone, as they would say in her native Southampton, England), she hardly seems physically imposing enough to be a challenge to anyone.

But then, anyone who assumes that about Erin has never seen her in the ring, where the diminutive dynamo routinely takes on... and beats... opponents of far greater size!

At the tender age of 19, the blue eyed blond is already a relative veteran of the wild British wrestling scene, having begun grappling at age 15 while still a student. "After discovering the world of wrestling," she enthusiastically says, "I immediately knew that was what I was made for! Seeing the female wrestlers on the television, and seeing the British legend Klondyke Kate at a local show, inspired me to wrestle." Indeed, one of Erin's proudest ring moments to date is when she scored a victory over her inspiration... although technically, Klondyke Kate was disqualified. Still, as she says, "It still counts!"

But once she caught the wrestling bug, she was bound and determined to make her mark in the sport! She even discarded college plans in order to devote herself to her new vocation.

As dedicated to the squared circle as she is, she knows that mere determination isn't enough... particularly for someone as small as her. Therefore, Erin hits the gym regularly with trainer Flyin' Phil Powers, with a special emphasis on cardio for her endurance. After each workout, she rewards herself with a visit to the sauna to relax. Luckily, fitness comes naturally to her, as she used to swim competitively, and even now still teaches and coaches swimming. Such training has paid off in some big dividends for the little lady, both in terms of 'W's' in the record book, as well as in avoiding serious injuries.

But Erin knows full well that all of the gym training in the world can't take the place of experience, which is why she soaks up her experiences like a sponge, always leaving the ring with a little bit more knowledge than she entered into it with. "I've gained most of my knowledge of the big wide world through places I've been, experience I've had, and people I have met because of the wrestling business. The experiences and people have influenced me and made me who I am." And the business has taken her far from Southampton: "I've wrestled all over England, Scotland and Wales. I've also toured Ireland and been to France." A trip to America, she hopes, will be in the cards someday too.

Her favorite color being pink, it's perhaps no surprise that Erin's ring gear predominantly features this hue. But although she's an undeniably beautiful woman, she doesn't want anyone to think that she's frail and "girly" in the ring. Not surprisingly, because of all of the pink, as well as her size, many people continue to underestimate her as a wrestler. Opponents who make the mistake of doing so tend to find their shoulders pinned to the mat for a three count.

Unlike a lot of competitors, Erin doesn't identify herself with any particular moves or specialized finishers. Trained in traditional British mat grappling, and adding to that a study of high flying aerial work, she has created a style to get the job done. The important thing is to win, she reasons, so why tie herself down with the same small handful of moves?

Another great moment for her was when she got to wrestle the one and only Luna Vachon, and she acquitted herself quite well against the ring legend. "It was a fantastic challenge and I hope to meet her again!" Erin has also worked as a manager, including a stint at ringside for Jake "The Snake" Roberts during a recent visit to the U.K. by the American.

And for all of her hard work in the ring and in the gym, what would make her most happy in life? "Good health, being able to wrestle, being surrounded by my family and friends... and maybe a little bit of fame and fortune!"

No small dreams from this tiny thunderbolt!

erinangel.co.uk