(Istanbul, Turkey) – Canadian men’s Freestyle and Greco-Roman athletes compete in Istanbul, Turkey in the second and last world qualification tournament May 6-8, 2016. Organized by the Turkish Wrestling Federation and taking place at the Bağcılar Sports Complex, the event represents the last opportunity for wrestlers to qualify to compete at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio. At the event, only the top two in each style and weight class will qualify to compete in Rio.

Canada qualified two women’s weight-classes (48KG, 63KG) at the Vegas worlds in September 2015 and all the remaining women’s weight-classes (53KG, 58KG, 69KG, 75KG) as well as Men’s Freestyle 125KG at the Pan Am qualifier in Frisco, Texas in March.

“Istanbul, will have a lot of hopes on the line,” said Wrestling Canada Lutte President Don Ryan. “We wish our wrestlers the best of luck as they battle hard on the mat. Following the Turkey qualifier, Wrestling Canada Lutte will focus on the last few months as our final Olympic team preparations take place.”

Canadian entries in Turkey include two-time Olympian Haislan Garcia (65KG) of Vancouver, BC, 2014 Commonwealth Games Champion Arjun Gill (97KG) of Vancouver, BC and at 86KG 2014 Commonwealth Games Champion Tamerlan Tagziev (Toronto, ON). The wrestlers will be supported by coaches Dave McKay (Freestyle) and Dave Spinney (Greco-Roman). Complete Canadian entries include:

FS 57KG – John Pineda (Vancouver, BC)
FS 65KG – Haislan Garcia (Vancouver, BC)
FS 74KG – Cleopas Ncube (Montreal, QC)
FS 86KG – Tamerlan Tagziev (Toronto, ON)
FS 97KG – Arjun Gill (Vancouver, QC)
GR 59KG – Steven Takahashi (London, ON)

Canadian trials winners in weight-classes already qualified for Rio include:

FW 48KG – Jasmine Mian (Barrie, ON)
FW 53 kg – Jillian Gallays (Saskatoon, SK)
FW 58 kg – Michelle Fazzari (St. Catharines, ON)
FW 63KG – Danielle Lappage (Olds, AB)
FW 69 kg – Dorothy Yeats (Montreal, QC)
FW 75 kg – Erica Wiebe (Stittsville, ON)
FS 125 kg – Korey Jarvis (Guelph, ON)

Second World Qualification Tournament Event Schedule

Friday May 6, 2016
10:00 Qualification rounds and repechage GR – 59-66-75-85-98-130kg
17:30 Opening Ceremony
18.00 Finals & award ceremonies GR – 59-66-75-85-98-130kg

Saturday May 7, 2016
10:00 Qualification rounds and repechage FW – 48-53-58-63-69-75kg
18.00 Finals & award ceremonies FW – 48-53-58-63-69-75kg

Sunday May 8, 2016
10:00 Qualification rounds and repechage FS – 57-65-74-86-97-125kg
18.00 Finals & award ceremonies FS – 57-65-74-86-97-125kg

For more information, visit https://unitedworldwrestling.org/