The following story runs in the Winnipeg Sun:
Mat marvel at 13
Superkid a high-flying rassler
By PAUL TURENNE, STAFF REPORTER
One of the hottest wrestlers on the Manitoba scene stands five feet tall and weighs in at all of 90 pounds. Colton Bertrand, known to local wrestling fans as The Lightning Kid or sometimes Superkid, is making a name for himself with his high-flying moves and wrestling know-how -- all at the tender age of 13.
"The kid has got a lot of possibilities. Some of the moves he has, it looks like he's been in the game three or four years," said TCW wrestling promoter Tony Condello. "If he keeps up the good work, he could have a future."
Bertrand is the son of Bobby Jay, who has been wrestling for the past 14 years, including a brief stint in the old World Wrestling Federation where he faced big names such as Owen Hart, Ted "The Million Dollar Man" DiBiase, and Koko B. Ware.
Jay has been teaching him moves for more than two years, and this past summer Bertrand stepped into the squared circle for his first match, which was promoted by Condello.
He wore a Superman costume and was called Superkid. His opponent was a midget wrestler named Frenchie Lamont.
"My adrenaline just kicked in. I was so nervous before the match, but once I got in there it was fun," said Bertrand, who won the match.
He has wrestled in six or seven more matches since, and has become a crowd favourite at both TCW and River City Wrestling events. His next match will be a River City event Jan. 7 at the Broadway Neighbourhood Centre.
'HIGH-FLYING STUFF'
He has also wrestled in tag teams with his father, and even faced his dad, who was wearing a mask at the time.
"I think the crowd really enjoys seeing me out there, and I really like performing for them," he said.
Bertrand's moves begin on the top rope and end on top of his opponent. They include the 450 splash, the moonsault and the shooting star press, which involves a backflip.
"He does pretty much anything you can see on TV," said Jay.
"I can do a lot of high-flying stuff that a lot of guys who have been wrestling a long time can't do," said Bertrand.
But isn't all that flipping around dangerous, especially for a 13-year-old who's in the ring with adults?
"I've gotten to the point where I'm really confident with myself and I'm not really worried about it. I don't try anything I know I can't do," he said.
"I lay out all the matches so I know exactly what's going to happen. Everything is controlled," said Jay, giving away wrestling's worst-kept secret.
"Pro wrestling is a staged event. It's actually safer than someone playing football, or boxing or tae kwon do. Other kids shouldn't try it, though. Colton has been trained by me and other wrestlers and he's kind of the exception to the rule."
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