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British wrestler Kris Travis is returning to the ring after defying the odds by defeating cancer.

The 31-year-old's dream of becoming an international superstar appeared to be over when he was diagnosed with the disease last October.

Doctors said the 'Shooting Star' would never wrestle again, as he prepared to undergo surgery to remove a tumour in his stomach.

But Travis, from Sheffield, kept fighting and is now set for an incredible comeback at Preston City Wrestling's fourth anniversary show.

Neil Docking spoke to the 6ft 1in grappler ahead of his astonishing comeback clash with 'East End Butcher' Sha Samuels.

(Image: © Gordon Harris/PCW)

This Friday at Preston City Wrestling you face Sha Samuels in your first match in a year. It's bound to be a very emotional night for you - how are you feeling ahead of the bout?

Right now I am feeling very excited but I'm going to be honest I'm also very very nervous. It's been a year since I have done anything like this, and when you are a wrestler you are in a little bubble... like wearing little pants and oiling up is normal you know? [Laughs] It takes being away for so long to appreciate it from the outside looking in. It's a very abnormal situation that I took for granted. So although I am very nervous about the match I am also worrying about my appearance and things of that nature.

What condition are you in physically now? Do you feel confident getting back in the ring and how have you prepared for your return?

Physically I'm as ready as I could ever be in three to four months after chemotherapy. It's been a long hard slog to get my body up to anything resembling in shape, it's not just the muscle mass but also the fitness levels. While on chemotherapy I couldn't even walk up my stairs to the toilet without being out of breath and lightheaded, so to now be looking at having a match I'm very proud of my progress this far. I've prepared for my return by pretty much living in the gym and doing as much as my body will let me do. Some days are worse than others but whatever I have got energy wise that day, all goes to the gym.

For those who aren't familiar with your story, how did you find out you had cancer?

Basically I was on a night out for a friends birthday when it all started. I got hiccups pretty early on and they stayed with me for the next 24 to 32 hours on and off, mostly on. I felt very weird as it had never happened before. Then over the next few days I became extremely bloated after food and would begin to burp constantly too. A few days after that I started being sick every night as my stomach would get increasingly bloated.

After many trips to the doctors and being sent away every single time, I collapsed at home and was taken to hospital where it was found a tumour had grown over my waste pipe in the stomach. So basically I was being sick every bit of food I was eating, thus the big belly. I had to have 70% of my stomach removed and intensive 18 weeks of chemotherapy.

I believe you were diagnosed shortly after being selected as one of the six finalists in TNA's British Boot Camp 2, which offered the chance of signing for the second biggest wrestling company in America. What was it like having to withdraw from the competition?

Having to withdraw from TNA was a heart-wrenching experience and would be for any reason. I remember being laid in a hospital bed knowing I had cancer looking at my phone and thinking it was about that time all my friends were flying to America to start living their, and my, dream. It was absolutely horrible.

(Image: © Tony Knox/TNA)

Was it difficult to announce that you were suffering from cancer publicly?

I had only told a handful of my closest friends in the industry at first, I just didn't know who else to turn to. As silly as it sounded I didn't want too much fuss as I knew it would be a big thing and I would be inundated with texts and emails etc at a time that basically I wanted to just be with my family. I just needed time to get my head around the horrible news before I was ready to tell everyone. I shouldn't have worried however because everyone was amazing and so positive and respectful. It brought British wrestling together and showed what a family we really are.

Lots of fundraising events and activities were arranged by the British wrestling community to help you financially, including a tribute show held by PCW. What did the support of your peers, promoters and the fans mean to you?

The support meant the world and continues to mean the world to this day. Words can't really do justice to how I feel about the fans and my friends in this business. In a time when all I could see was a bleak future, you guys kept my spirit alive and made me smile when it was incredibly difficult to even stop crying. I genuinely feel indebted to each and every person who has helped me out, some of my best friends are in this business and I love them with all my heart for what they have done for me.

What is the current status of your cancer - are you in remission or have you been given the all clear?

Basically the surgery took out the tumour and their was no sign of it in my system after that point. However, looking for a spore of cancer is impossible even under a microscope, hence why chemotherapy is needed. Right now I have no signs of cancer and I am hoping and praying that it stays that way. It will be five years until I get the all clear, so until that point it is really a case of living my life and hoping that it is all behind me.

When were you told you could resume training? Did doctors advise you on whether you could wrestle again?

When I was diagnosed and was signing the forms for surgery my doctor said to me in no uncertain terms that I would never step foot in a wrestling ring ever again... that my wrestling career was over. I remember saying to him that it was absolutely fine and all I was interested in was him saving my life! After surgery however and a few sessions of chemotherapy, even though I felt so weak, I began to feel mentally stronger. I focused on getting back into that ring again. I said to myself that cancer would not retire me and even if I only have just one more match, I was determined to go out on my own terms.

You have previously proved yourself as one of the top performers in Britain, if not beyond. What are your goals now you are returning to the ring, short term and long term, or is it too early to say?

Basically I am taking each match as it comes and going from there. It could be the day after PCW and my match with Sha that I say to myself 'you know what, you have nothing left to prove, let's hang em up on a high'. I genuinely don't know how I'm going to feel. I'm looking at no pressure to have any more matches than the one on Friday.

(Image: © Gordon Harris/PCW)

While you have been away, two of your former opponents with whom you stole the show at PCW events, Kevin Owens and Finn Bálor, have debuted with WWE, going on to become NXT Champions. What are your thoughts on their success?

Both of those guys are one in a million. Easily two of the toughest opponents that I have faced and it was truly an honour to step foot in the ring with them. You know when you are going to have a special match, you can tell in the first few minutes whether the magic is there. And in both matches with them both I felt that magic straight away. They both raised me up to their incredible level and we had some of the best matches in PCW history that I am very proud of. I'm sure that both men will go on to have long careers in the WWE and I'm sure that they will both become world champions too. No one deserves it more, they are both amazingly talented but they are both amazing people too... and that's rare in this business.

Returning to PCW, what can fans expect from your match with Samuels?

You know what, I don't even know. When I step foot into the ring after a year away it could go either way. It might be like coming home, or I may end up feeling like a stranger. Like someone who no longer belongs in that squared circle in front of those fans. I'm hoping that I do myself proud and have a good match, don't get injured... and win! That's the most important thing for me, coming back after such a long time and proving to everyone but most of all to myself that I still have 'it'. Only time will tell, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

To read more about Travis and his battle against cancer, visit his official website

For more details on the show, which will also see PCW Heavyweight Champion Dave Mastiff clash with PCW Cruiserweight Champion Bubblegum and WWE Superstar Samoa Joe face a mystery opponent, visit the PCW website