OTTAWA — Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) along with USPORTS Canada are proud to announce the athletes and support staff that will represent Canada in wrestling at the 2026 FISU World University Combat Championships, June 8-12 in Brasilia, Brazil. Canada will send 20 athletes, a representative in all of the 10 men’s and 10 women’s weight classes.

“We are proud to announce the athletes who will represent Canada at the 2026 FISU World University Combat Championships. This event provides an incredible opportunity for our student-athletes to compete internationally while proudly representing both their country and their universities,” said Tamara Medwidsky, WCL CEO. “Competing in a multi-sport environment also gives these athletes valuable experience against high-level international competition, helping prepare them for future success on the world stage. We look forward to seeing this talented group showcase the strength and depth of Canadian wrestling.”

“We are incredibly proud to see so many of our top student-athletes selected to wear the maple leaf at the 2026 FISU World University Combat Championships,” said Jennifer Smart, U SPORTS Director of Sport  “The depth of talent on this team—from returning national champions to rising international medalists—is a true testament to the strength of university wrestling in Canada. We know they will compete with heart, intelligence, and the unwavering spirit that defines our programs and we look forward to seeing what they accomplish in Brasilia.”

The women’s side features numerous international medalists at both the continental and world level. The group includes 2024 World U23 silver medalist Serena Di Benedetto. Di Benedetto, from Stoney Creek, Ontario and McMaster University, will compete at 53kg. In addition to her world medal, she is also a multiple-time national champion at various age levels. Earlier this year, she represented Canada at the Senior Pan-American (Pan-Am) Championship and came home with a silver. She will look to carry that momentum into the FISU Championships.

On the men’s side, a name to watch will be Tejvir Dhinsa. The Abbotsford native and Simon Fraser University student is a two-time past Pan-Am Championships silver medalist, earning back-to-back medals at the U20 level in 2024 and 2025. He also won a bronze as a U17 in 2022. Dhinsa recently won the 2026 U20 national title, in May, at the Canadian Wrestling Championships in Montreal. Now, he will look to transition his national and Pan-Am success into a medal in Brazil.

2026 FISU World University Combat Championships Wrestling Team

Joining the team will be the coaching and support staff. The event coaches will be Heather Sweezey (Brock) and Jevon Balfour (McMaster). The team physiotherapist will be Max Hanna. Marcia Chiasson will represent Canada as an official.

For complete tournament information visit the tournament site. For more information about the 2026 FISU World University Combat Championships visit the Championships site.