City’s thumb wrestling champ has world in the palm of his hand

It’s not an Olympic sport –yet. But after powering his way to glory in this year’s World Thumb Wrestling Championships, the man they call “Flash” is hoping the sport will gain wider  recognition.

Graeme Cunningham beat off stiff competition from the best 29 thumb wrestlers in the world at a pub in Lowestoft, Suffolk, as well as actor Will Mellor and comedian Rory McGrath.

The 32-year-old, who lives in Fountainbridge, puts his success down to closing his eyes while competing and using his sense of movement instead of sight.

Winning was all the sweeter this year as he had unfinished business from the previous competition, where he came second.

“I didn’t care about the 600-mile round journey, I had unfinished business from last year and had been putting in the practice ready to go one step further this year,” he said.

“I am so pleased that I managed to do that. There were some strong competitors, including the celebrities, but it just goes to show if you put the work in and believe in yourself, you can achieve your goals.”

Graeme added: “Let’s get thumb wrestling in the 2016 Olympics. I’m glad to go one further than Andy Murray did at Wimbledon and grab a title to bring back home to Scotland.”

The event was filmed for a Channel 5 programme called Rory and Will: Great British Champions.