OTTAWA – Kieran Akhtar of Saskatoon earned Canada’s first medal of the Pan-American Championships at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa.

Akhtar fell to American Max Nowry 10-0 in the gold medal match.

“I think I could have wrestled better,” said the 22-year-old. “The guy I was matched up with has a lot of experience. I’m pretty new to the Greco scene, so every time I step on the mat I learn something. Being able to step on the mat with someone of that quality give me lots to learn.”

Earlier in the day he defeated Sargis Khachatryan of Brazil by injury default.

Three other Canadians competed in Greco-Roman matches on Friday.

Western Wrestling Club’s Adam MacFadyen fell 8-0 to Miguel Angel Ugalde Aguilar of Mexico in the 60 kg qualifying round.

Joseph Dashou also fell 8-0 in the 67 kg quarterfinal. He lost to Alejandro Sancho of USA.

Charles Thoms of the Black Bears Wrestling Club dropped the 130 kg quarterfinal to Moises Salvador Perez Hellburg of Venezuela.

Thomas Barreiro withdrew from the competition due to an injury.

The Pan-American Championships run from March 6 to 9 at the Shaw Centre in downtown Ottawa. Competition resumes on Saturday with Greco-Roman and women’s wrestling.

Canadians in action on Saturday are:

GR 77 kg – Brayden Ambo
GR 87 kg – Ioannis Narlidis
WW 59 kg – Alexandria Town
WW 72 kg – Shauna Kuebeck

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