'Rufguts' sorry for chasing ambulance

KENT BLECHYNDEN/The Dominion Post

DOWN BUT NOT OUT: Wrestler David Tubb, aka "Rufguts", has been suspended from the national competition until he apologises for tailgating a speeding ambulance. But he is upset that his home town of Upper Hutt has failed to recognise his sporting achievements. "I'm the only success story they've got."

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Champion pro-wrestler "Rufguts" will issue a heartfelt apology tonight after being busted chasing a speeding ambulance along a motorway.

However, his remorse goes only so far. He has lashed out at his home town of Upper Hutt, saying it has ignored his sporting success.

Rufguts, also known as storeman David Tubb, 25, said he was waiting at traffic lights on April 10 when an ambulance sped by, lights on and siren wailing.

"It was going my way, and I was in a rush to get home and watch the wrestling, so I decided to follow it, to my detriment."

The New Zealand pro-wrestling champion tailgated the speeding ambulance for 20 kilometres up State Highway 2 towards Upper Hutt, weaving though traffic and reaching speeds of 130kmh. The alarmed ambulance crew radioed police, and he was pulled over.

Tubb, also a New Zealand sumo champion, was disqualified from driving for six months and fined $400 in Upper Hutt District Court. "They really threw the book at me."

New Zealand Wide Pro Wrestling also suspended Rufguts from competition until he apologised publicly. "It is unacceptable to be seen creating such a road hazard and blatantly breaking the law," it said.

If Rufguts did not apologise, it warned that he would be stripped of his title.

"I couldn't imagine anything that would leave me more gutted," he said yesterday. He planned to apologise to his fans, and to the ambulance officers, at a wrestling event at Heretaunga College tonight.

"In terms of the incident, I couldn't be more sorry."

However, he launched a tirade against Upper Hutt.

"Upper Hutt as a community has turned its back on me. I'm the only success story they've go," he said.

"They've got no cricket team, they've got no rugby team. I'm going to have to consider if Upper Hutt deserves to be aligned with me from now on."

- © Fairfax NZ News