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'People have been so supportive': Southampton pro wrestler on coming out as gay

Jensen has been a fan of wrestling ever since he was a child.
Jensen has been a fan of wrestling ever since he was a child.

AFTER BATTLING his personal struggles, a gay man from Southampton is urging members of the LGBTQ community to give wrestling a try.

Jensen Ryan lives with his partner in the Bitterne area of Southampton and has been a huge fan of wrestling since he was a child.

He said: "I was a big fan and always wanted to do it. I saw a local advertisement one day and decided to give it a try, and I loved it."

Ever since then, the 38-year-old hasn't looked back. He trains at the Quality Wrestling Academy in Havant and has wrestled for SWF, Kapow Wrestling, and more.

Daily Echo:
Daily Echo:

While his love for the sport "continues to grow every day", the journey to get there hasn't always been easy.

He came out as a gay man when he was only 22 and was concerned about revealing his sexuality.

Jensen told the Daily Echo: "At first, I was worried and nervous about how people were going to react. Self-doubt was holding me back.

"However, I was wrong to think that. It's been the opposite, actually. People have been so supportive, and at the club, we are like a family."

Receiving endless support from his friends and family has been a "positive" experience for him.

Jensen is now proudly married to his husband, who can be spotted cheering in the crowd at most of his matches.

Daily Echo:
Daily Echo:

The pro-wrestler is known for his gothic style and "high-flying moves" in the ring.

He doesn’t shy away from being part of the LGBTQ community and is always ready for a challenge, such as competing in a charity or family-run wrestling tournament.

To keep himself busy, he works as a radio presenter, actor and tour guide for Southampton Ghost Tours.

While breaking down barriers and overcoming personal hurdles, Jensen is now encouraging others from the LGBTQ+ community to give wrestling a try.

He says: "I have been in that position, so I would just say, go for it.

"No matter what, just get out and do it, and trust me, you will feel so good after that."