(December 30, 2014) Ottawa – For Wrestling Canada Lutte’s first event of 2015, Canadian entries set to compete in the Nordhagen Classic, a female only international tournament, to be held at the University of Calgary Jack Simpson Gymnasium, January 2-4, 2015.

“As we head in to 2015, this tournament and training camp are a great opportunity for both juniors and seniors to compete and train alongside many of the world’s top female wrestlers,” says Wrestling Canada Lutte Executive Director Tamara Medwidsky. “Canadian wrestling entries are fortunate to benefit from this world-class event, and Wrestling Canada Lutte is proud to support 2015 as the Year of Sport in Canada and the role sport plays in our Canadian identity.”

On the road to Rio 2016, Canadian National Team wrestlers competing for wins will feature World Wrestling Bronze Medalist Jillian Gallays, Commonwealth Games Champion Erica Wiebe, 2014 Commonwealth Games Bronze medalists Jasmine Mian and Braxton Stone as well as 2014 Canadian Silver Medalist Michelle Fazzari. The event will also feature Canadian club level athletes from across the country.

As one of the pioneers of Women’s Wrestling, Christine Nordhagen is a six-time World Champion and 2004 Olympian. Nordhagen first started winning titles at Canada’s first National championship in 1992. When she began competing at the world championships in 1993, there were fewer than 150 Canadian women registered in wrestling. By the time she retired, there were more than 4,000 women, not counting non-registered girls at the high-school level. Nordhagen helped get the women’s side of the sport into the Olympics for the first time at the 2004 Olympic games in Athens, where she finished fifth.

“I understand the need for international competition for young wrestlers,” says Nordhagen. “Each year the tournament builds on my dream of providing women in wrestling the best developmental opportunities.”

The event will feature over 45 international athletes competing in the senior events on Saturday and the junior events on Sunday. To date, six countries have registered including entries from the United States, Sweden, Norway, Marshall Islands, the Ivory Coast and Canada. The event will also feature an international training camp following on January 5 – 8, 2015.