Teenage arm wrestler insured

Lisa practises her wrestling for up to four hours a day

The parents of a teenage arm wrestler have insured her best asset for £40,000.

Dawn Higson, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, is beating grown men at the sport - at the age of 14.

Her parents, Andrew and Lisa are paying £25 a month to insure her arm for £40,000.

The couple say they are supporting Dawn's quest to become the world number one by the time she is 18.

The teenager is currently the country's second best female arm wrestler and recently came sixth in a contest in Germany to win the fifth ranking in Europe.

When I go to competitions I don't tell anyone how old I am until after I've wrestled them - then their mouths drop open Dawn Higson

Dawn spends up to four hours a night practising her moves - even though she cannot turn professional and earn money until she is 18.

She is taking part in a competition in Belgium next week and is flying out to Canada to compete for the world title later this year.

Dawn said: "I love arm wrestling, it's just really exciting.

"When I go to competitions I don't tell anyone how old I am until after I've wrestled them - then their mouths drop open.

'Quite risky'

"I started wrestling a few years ago and it has just gone from strength to strength. I am really enjoying competing and my aim is to take the number one spot."

Mr Higson said his daughter "eats, sleeps and breathes arm wrestling".

"I wouldn't dare try against her. Once my brother challenged her and she threw him across the room.

"We were told we had to insure her arm because it can be quite risky, but people generally get injured only if they don't know what they're doing.

"People think arm wrestling is just a case of pushing someone's arm over, but while most people only have one move, Dawn has about 15."