A MAN whose childhood dreams of professional wrestling were almost lost due to a horrific freak injury is now fulfilling his aspirations after taking part in the first Monmouthshire Championship Wrestling show.

Christopher Royles, while working in Monmouth as a 20-year-old, fell through the ceiling of a storage cupboard, severing tendons in eight of his fingers.

He said: "I fell through the roof and I put my hands out to hold on but the falling debris sliced my fingers. There was blood everywhere.

"I was rushed to the hospital as they were concerned for my spine as I fell eight foot on to concrete floor. Luckily there were no breaks. I was saving money to attend professional wrestling school at the time but after the accident I was told by the physiotherapist that I would never get back full use of my hands again.

"The dream appeared to be over and I was devastated."

Now 29, Mr Royles said his fingers were in a metal brace for a couple of years and it wasn't until his mid-20's that his hands could function in everyday activities without a struggle.

He had to learn to write again and underwent physiotherapy for four years in total.

Mr Royles said he has loved wrestling since he was a child and finally fulfilled his dream of attending a professional wrestling school two years ago.

He has trained with Iron Fist and is now a professional wrestler. His first show in Monmouthshire since the accident took place in Chepstow Rugby Club in June.

He goes by the name of El Custodio, which is a mixture of his love of Mexican wrestling and his occupation as a custodian.

He defeated fellow wrestler Kaiden Rouke during the first ever Monmouthshire Championship Wrestling show.

He said: "I am proof that nobody should ever give up on their dreams no matter what life throws their way. I have toured all around the UK to crowds of up to 500.

"It's the best thing to perform with a live crowd. It's a wonderful buzz to know that you're doing something you dreamt of as a kid and hopefully inspiring the next generation in the audience - if someone like me can do it anyone can."

The next Monmouthshire Championship Wrestling show will take place on November 7 at Chepstow Rugby Club.