THE Salisbury area has a new champion to celebrate after wrestler Tristran Hayes, better known as The Anthrax Kid, triumphed in an international event in Australia.

The 22-year-old hairdresser from Wilton, won his first major title when he defeated New Zealand's Leif Jeffreys in the final of the International light-heavyweight contest near Sydney.

Tristran, who has been wrestling competitively for six years, described his victory on Saturday as the highlight of his career so far.

The home supporters among the 500-strong crowd at Deewhy had not warmed to him after knocking out Australian ZZ Hook earlier in the tournament.

"There was a good atmosphere there," he told Journal Sport. "But ZZ Hook is an IAA tag team title holder and being English, they didn't take to me beating an Aussie."

The wrestler may head back to Australia in January to defend his title, although he may now set his sights on competing in the USA or Canada.