Canadian U23 wrestling team set for 2023 World Championships

October 16, 2023

OTTAWA – Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) is proud to announce the athletes, coaches and supports staff that will represent Canada at the U23 World Championships, Oct. 23-29 in Tirana, Albania.

“Wrestling Canada Lutte is looking for a strong performance from our athletes competing at the U23 World Championships,” said Chris Woodcroft, WCL High Performance Director. “The team features wrestlers who not only have international experience but have found the podium as well. In addition, the team will feature athletes making their international debut, which will be a valuable experience in their wrestling careers. Canada has traditionally performed well at the U23 level, and we feel we have an excellent squad ready to compete with the best in the world.”

With several members having international experience and international medals, the team should be poised to showcase their strength on the world stage.

On the women’s side one to watch will be Ajax, Ontario’s Nyla Burgess. Burgess, who currently wrestles for Adrian College and calls Team Impact her Canadian club, is a former U20 Pan-American (Pan-Am) Championships gold medalist and Senior Pan-Am bronze medalist. In addition, she took silver this past summer at the Francophone Games. Burgess will compete at 72kg.

Another member to keep an eye on is Swift Current, Saskatchewan’s Aleah Nickel. Nickel, who trains at the Edmonton Wrestling Club, has had a busy 2023 filled with competition. She competed at the Francophone Games, winning gold in the 62kg weight class. She won bronze at the senior Pan-Am Championships in the spring and most recently represented Canada at the Senior World Championships.

As for the men, one member of the team that comes in with some momentum is Mississauga, Ontario’s Karanveer Mahil. The Hamilton Wrestling Club member had a great U20 Pan-Am Championship tournament culminating with a gold medal in the men’s 125kg weight class. Mahil, also represented Canada at the Senior Pan-Am Championships and U20 World Championships earlier this year.

Also on this year’s edition of the team is Manitoba’s Sam Pereria. Pereria, who trains at Burnaby Mountain Wrestling Club, took silver earlier this year at the Pan-Am Championships and earned a top 10 finish (ninth) at the U20 World Championships. He will look for another solid result at 92kg.

2023 U23 World Championships Team

Weight Class	Name	Hometown	Club
WW 50 kg	YOUNG, Kelyn	Brampton, ON	Guelph WC
WW 53 kg	DI BENEDETTO, Serena	Stoney Creek, ON	Hamilton WC
WW 55 kg	KAZE-GASCON, Virginie	Montreal, QC	Montreal – NTC
WW 57 kg	FRIESEN, Mia	St. Catharines, ON	Brock WC
WW 59 kg	RANKIN, Michaela	St. Catharines, ON	Brock WC
WW 62 kg	NICKEL, Aleah	Swift Current, SK	Edmonton WC
WW 65 kg	ADAMS, Samantha	Vineland, ON	Brock WC
WW 68 kg	KEEFE, Vanessa	St. Catharines, ON	Brock WC
WW 72 kg	BURGESS, Nyla	Ajax, ON	Team Impact WC
WW 76 kg	ROULEAU, Vianne	Edmonton, AB	Edmonton WC

FS 61 kg	SAUNDERS, Garette	St. Catharines, ON	Brock WC
FS 65 kg	LUNEAU, Jason	St-Lazare, QC	Montreal – NTC
FS 70 kg	LEWIS, Stone	Montreal, QC	Montreal – NTC
FS 74 kg	LEDER, Patrik	Mississauga, ON	Burnaby Mountain WC
FS 79 kg	CHURCH, Connor	Winnipeg, MB	Montreal – NTC
FS 86 kg	MARTIN, Owen	Surrey, BC	Burnaby Mountain WC
FS 92 kg	PEREIRA, Sam	Winnipeg, MB	Burnaby Mountain WC
FS 97 kg	STEVENSON, Aidan	Edmonton, AB	Edmonton WC
FS 125 kg	MAHIL, Karan	Mississauga, ON	Hamilton WC

Joining the team are the coaching and support staff. The group includes coaches Owen Dawkins, Heather Sweezey, Frank Mensah, Victor Zilberman, Ken Burgess and Cierra Carere; team leader Kale Whitton; and athletic therapist Tim Nannasy. Demetra Koutsopodiotis and Joe Yee will also represent Canada as officials.

For complete tournament information including brackets, results and live stream visit: https://uww.org/events.