AMJID HUSSAIN, from Highfield in Keighley, has become the youngest World Wide Beeni Association champion in the arm wrestling sport's history.

The 22-year-old claimed the middleweight title in Rotherham at championships featuring three different weight classes.

Amjid, who also plays cricket for Saltaire in the Bradford League, having previously enjoyed a spell with Keighley, took up the sport after his dad Mangta Khan passed away in 2009. Mangta was a great Beeni player at his peak and had always dreamed that one of his six sons would become a world champion.

Amjid has won 14 of his 15 fights, drawing one, to make his family proud. He has competed in Bradford, Leeds, Birmingham and Luton and also had two fights in Pakistan.

He is now targeting a higher division heavyweight championship belt, hopefully at the end of next year.

In Beeni, which is popular in south Asia, the two fighters form a special grip. They have three chances to break the grip in each round of four and points are awarded for breaking free or stopping the opponent from escaping.

Amjid paid tribute to family and friends for their support and hopes his success can inspire other young people from the area to take up sporting activities.

Keighley Central ward councillor Abid Hussain echoed his sentiments.

He said: “I’m really delighted that we have here in Keighley a young man who has emerged as middleweight champion in this contest. It’s wonderful.

“I’d encourage more young people to take up this and other sports. It is a good way of bringing them off the streets.”