SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – The Canadian team is coming home with 10 medals (two gold, four silver, four bronze) from the 2024 U17 Pan-American Championships, June 27-29 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The team was led by a pair of gold-medal winning performances from Winnipeg’s Kaura Coles at 53kg and Abbotsford, British Columbia’s Michaeljeet Grewal at 92kg. It was the second medal at the event for both Coles and Grewal. In 2022, Coles won silver at 49kg while Grewal was the defending gold medalist in his weight class from 2023.

“A lot of hard work was put in before coming here but I just wanted to come here, wrestle and give it my best. I am grateful to compete and to have come out on top with the win,” said Grewal. “I want to give a shout out to all my coaches, my club and my friends. I am fortunate to have stayed healthy and competed at my best. I also want to give a shout out to Vic, for helping to keep me healthy throughout the trip. Finally, a shout out to all my fans, especially my dad for helping get me where I am today and joining me on this trip. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to represent Canada and there is more to come!”

Men’s results

In addition to Grewal’s gold medal, the men’s team captured five additional medals. Taking home silver were: Mississauga’s Ryan Dahcha at 60kg; Port Coquitlam, British Columbia’s Liam Gorton at 65kg; and Abbotsford’s Jagroop Dhinsa at 110kg. Winning bronze were Pickering, Ontario’s Aaharen Piranavan at 51kg; and St. Laurent, Manitoba’s Beau Chartrand at 80kg.

Rounding out the men’s results were: Mississauga’s Tayim Dahcha fifth at 45kg; Smithville, Ontario’s Nathan Nash fifth at 55kg; and Guelph, Ontario’s Ben Remillard eighth at 48kg.

The men’s team finished second overall in the team competition.

Women’s results

The women picked up a trio of other medals in addition to Coles’ gold. Surrey, British Columbia’s Khushleen Jhalli earned silver at 69kg; Surrey’s Iraabir Sooch took bronze at 40kg; and Maple Ridge, British Columbia’s Agnia Krakovska won bronze at 57kg.

The rest of the women’s results were: Calgary’s Paige Veloso fourth at 65kg; Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario’s Charlotte Bowslaugh fourth at 73kg; Nobleton, Ontario’s Manavi Asthana fifth at 46kg; Pickering’s Adsaya Piranavan fifth at 46kg; and Saskatoon’s Elizabeth Chapman eighth at 49kg.

The women’s team finished the team competition third overall.

For complete tournament results, visit the tournament site: https://uww.org/event/u17-pan-american-championships/results

Members of the U17 team will be in action next at the U17 World Championships, August 19-25 in Amman, Jordan.