MISSISSAUGA, ON – Wrestlers from all over the country are set to descend on Mississauga, Ontario, April 5-7, at the Paramount Fine Foods Sportsplex for the 2024 Canadian Wrestling Championships (U19, U17, U15).

It will be an action packed three days as there will be 12 weight classes for each of the three age groups in Men’s Freestyle, Women’s Wrestling, Men’s Greco-Roman and Women’s Greco-Roman.

“This is such a fantastic event for Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) as it gives us a chance to celebrate all that is great with our sport,” said Tamara Medwidsky, WCL CEO. “This competition is a first step in identifying the next generation of wrestlers. We are excited to be heading to Mississauga. There will be no shortage of action throughout the week, so it will be an excellent chance for the community to come and see what wrestling is all about.”

“Matmen Wrestling Club is thrilled to be hosting the 2024 Canadian Wrestling Championships (U19, U17, U15) in Mississauga, the birthplace of our club. We were awarded the championships in the height of the pandemic which brought great uncertainty and risk in taking on such an enormous event.  Nevertheless, we were motivated by our passion for wrestling, and we took the leap of faith,” said Greg Cappuccitti, event Chair.  “We are happy and excited to see exceptional participation numbers highlighting the rebound and growth of the sport.  These events are complex and pose significant challenges that can only be overcome the help of the entire wrestling community.  We want to express our sincere appreciation for our many club partners who have and are still working hard to prepare for the event, including the Tourism Mississauga, the Paramount Fine Foods Centre Sportsplex, The City of Mississauga, the Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association and Fuel Sports. We look forward to welcoming everyone from across Canada to our city and wish everyone all the best in the championships.”

“We are looking forward to welcoming the best in (U19, U17, U15) Canadian wrestling to the Paramount Fine Foods Centre Sportsplex for this national championship,” said Victoria Clarke, CEO of Visit Mississauga.  “We are so grateful for our partnership with Matmen Wrestling Club here in Mississauga, and we’re proud to support them with their hosting efforts.  It’s partnerships like these with our local community groups that allow us to attract large sporting events, showcase our state-of-the-art facilities, and bring tourists to our great city. We wish all the competitors and guests an incredible weekend of competition, fun and memorable moments in Mississauga.”

The event will feature many competitors that have already made a name for themselves this year thanks to results at the 2024 Canadian Wrestling Championships (Senior, Junior, Cadet), March 14-17 in Ottawa, as well as this event last year.

Names to watch on the women’s side include Paige Veloso. The Calgary native and Alberta Elite Women’s WC member won the Cadet 65kg weight class in Ottawa and was the Most Outstanding Women’s Greco-Roman wrestler at this event last year. Veloso has also represented Canada the past two years at the U17 Pan-American Championships.

Another winner from the Ottawa Championships competing in Mississauga is Ashton Senko. Senko, from Maple Ridge, B.C., and Coast Wrestling Academy, took gold in the Junior 59kg weight class.

As for the men, there are many competitors to keep an eye on. Competing in the U19 age group will be Jagroop Dhinsa, from Abbotsford, B.C., and Guru Gobind Singh WC, who won the Cadet 110kg and Junior 125kg weight classes at the Championships in Ottawa.  He will be joined by his brother Tejvir Dhinsa, a past U17 Pan-Am Championships bronze medalist, who won the Junior 97kg in Ottawa.

The 2024 Cadet Most Outstanding Wrestler, Port Coquitlam, B.C.’s Liam Gorton will also be in action. The Coast Wrestling Academy product captured gold in the 65kg weight class in Ottawa.

Leading the local contingent is Mississauga’s Ryan Dahcha. Dahcha, from Matmen WC, won the Cadet 60kg in Ottawa and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler at this event in 2023. He will be joined by his brother Tayim Dahcha, who was also victorious in Ottawa at Cadet 45kg.

With so these and more recent winners back in action, the quality of wrestling is set to be top notch.

In addition to the competition, there will also be a special WCL Hall of Fame induction ceremony to induct the first member of the class of 2024. The ceremony will take place on April 6 at 6:30 PST.

Spectators are welcome to attend any of the sessions, wrestling begins at 9 a.m. on all three competition days. Tickets are available at the door. The event will also be streamed on FloWrestling. For complete tournament information, visit the tournament site.