Athletes participating in all age categories have now been determined

WATERLOO, ON – The slate is now set for the 2023 Canadian Wrestling Championships (Senior, Junior, Cadet).

The Championships are happening March 9-12, 2023 at the RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex in Waterloo, ON and will showcase close to 600 of the country’s top wrestlers in Senior, Junior and Cadet categories.

This is a key event in determining the athletes who will go on to represent Canada at the upcoming Pan Am Games and World Wrestling Championships, as well as identifying the top Canadian wrestlers in each weight category. The 2023 Canadian Wresting Championships are also an opportunity to see future Olympians in action as they start on their path to the podium.

“Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) is excited to be hosting the 2023 Canadian Wrestling Championships in Waterloo,” said Tamara Medwidsky, WCL Executive Director. “We know the passion that the region has for sport and we are honoured to be part of it. This is such an important year for Canadian wrestling as it is the first step to Paris 2024. With the stakes being so high, it means the best wrestlers in the country will be competing, resulting in exciting action for fans, family and friends”

Wrestlers who will be competing at the Canadian Wrestling Championships include 2016 Olympic gold medalist Erica Wiebe. Wiebe, who now resides in Calgary, captured gold in Rio at 75kg.  After taking 2022 off, the 34-year-old is looking to once again represent Canada at the 2024 Olympics. Already this season, Wiebe won gold at the Klippan Open in Sweden in February.

Another former Olympian will be competing on the men’s side as Amar Dhesi will also resume his path to return to the 2024 Games. Dhesi, from Surrey, B.C., represented Canada at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics at 125kg. The 27-year-old had a strong 2022 season capturing gold at the Commonwealth Games in England and gold at the Pan-American (Pan-Am) Championships in Mexico.

While Wiebe and Dhesi highlight the respective fields, there will be multiple World, Commonwealth, Pan-Am Games and Pan-Am Championships medalists competing among both the men and women.

Leading the local contingent on the women’s side is Guelph’s Gracelynn Doogan. Doogan has represented Canada multiple times on the international stage, most recently at the 2019 U23 World Championships in Hungary where she finished seventh. The now 27-year-old is a past silver medalist at the U23 World Championships in 2017 and 2014 Pan-Am Championships.

As for the men, a notable name to keep an eye on is Kitchener’s Callum Knox. Knox represented Canada at the 2022 U23 World Championships in Spain finishing 15th. He will look to build on that experience and take his career to the next level with a hometown crowd cheering him on.

Those are just some of the names to watch, but with so many competitors in action, fans will be treated to excellent wrestling throughout the competition.

“We’re proud to play a role in the journey of these athletes as they aim to compete on the international stage representing Canada,” says Allister Scorgie, Director of Sport Hosting, Explore Waterloo Region. “An event of this magnitude requires a large number of partners at all levels of the sport. Wrestling Canada Lutte, Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association, Sport Canada, the Province of Ontario, and here in Waterloo Region, Matmen Wrestling Club and Explore Waterloo Region. Everyone has a role to play in delivering a world class event for these athletes.”

There are still opportunities for interested individuals to play a role in the upcoming wrestling championships in Waterloo. Anyone interested in volunteering at the event is asked to submit the Volunteer form found at Explore Waterloo Region.

Spectators are invited to attend the event, single day tickets at $15, and a full event pass is $50. Children under 12 are free. Tickets are available at the door by credit and debit only.

Media wishing access to the 2023 Canadian Wrestling Championships are invited to apply for accreditation by completing the Media Accreditation Form.

For more information on the 2023 Canadian Wrestling Championships, go to www.wrestling.ca

For more information on the Sport Hosting Office, visit www.explorewaterlooregion.com.