A WORCESTER wrestler is set for a showdown with his American counterparts after being spotted in a video.

John Stallard, who performs under the name Jonny the Body is jetting off to Philadelphia to compete in two tournaments after being spotted by National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) bosses.

They have pledged to invite both him and tag-team partner Gareth Humphries back if they are a hit with the crowds.

"I was seen wrestling on an English video and then I received a call from a booker in Philadelphia," said the ex-Nunnery Wood High School pupil.

"My style is old school wrestling but a lot of people in this country say it doesn't work any more."

Traditional wrestling focuses on grappling rather than relying on objects to batter opponents.

"There's too much chair swinging and not enough actual wrestling, which is more the traditional British style," said the 23-year-old, from Vincent Road.

Jonny fell in love with the sport when he was six years old after seeing it on television and saw his first live wrestling show in 1988.

"Several years later I was working in the staff canteen at Butlins, in Minehead, and I got talking to some of the professionals and it went from there."

He has a string of titles under his belt, including the British Midlands Open Medium Weight Championship.

"I'm flying out in the first week of August and hope to go back there if everything goes well.

"I know I will be competing in two wrestling tournaments when I'm there in a tag team."

His worst injury to date was when an opponent slammed him to the floor so hard his bottom teeth went straight through his lip.

"Apart from that all I've had is a few black eyes, bumps, bruises and rope burns."