OTTAWA – The Canadian Wrestling Championships (U19, U17, U15) are heading to Vancouver next week, March 24-26, as the best young wrestlers in the country will converge on the Vancouver Convention Centre for a true celebration of the sport.

National titles will be up for grabs in all three age groups, with 12 weight classes each in Men’s Freestyle, Women’s Wrestling and Men’s and Women’s Greco-Roman wrestling.

“This is such a great 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 Executive Director. “This competition is a first step in identifying the future stars of our sport and we are thrilled to be heading to Vancouver and a wonderful venue like the Vancouver Convention Centre. 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 our sport is all about.”

“Vancouver and British Columbia have been home to numerous past national and international champions, and multiple Olympians including Carol Huynh (2008 gold, 2012 bronze), Daniel Igali (2000 gold) and Bob Molle (1984 silver),” said Non Ha, BC Wrestling Association Executive Director. “Overall, hosting the National championships (U19, U17, U15) means the world as we get the privilege to host wrestling legends of the past, present, and future and share our love of Vancouver and British Columbia with all those attending.”

The event will feature many competitors that have already made a name for themselves. On the women’s side, a local favourite will be returning champion Rupinder Johal, from Guru Gobind Singh Wrestling Club, who took gold last year in the Women’s 80kg weight class. Johal went on to win gold at the 2022 Cadet Pan-American Championships and Canada Summer Games.

Coming off a strong performance at the Cadet Canadian Wrestling Championships, another notable name to watch will be Ava Guay, from Dinos Wrestling Club. Guay, who will compete in the U17 age group, was named the Cadet Women’s Most Outstanding Wrestler in Waterloo, Ontario, just a week ago, after winning gold in the 49kg weight class.

As for the men, Nathan Rainville, from Patriotes de St-Césaire, returns to defend his title from last year. Rainville was named most outstanding wrestler for the U19 Men in 2022 after winning the 71kg weight class. Rainville also took gold at the Canadian Wrestling Championships in Waterloo in the Junior Men’s 70kg.

He will be joined by local hopeful Tejvir Dhinsa, from Guru Gobind Singh Wrestling Club, who was another 2022 Champion. Dhinsa’s career has taken off since his win in 2022 as he went on to win a Pan-American bronze medal and recently captured gold at the Cadet Canadian Wrestling Championships. Dhinsa was also named WCL’s Cadet Men’s Wrestler of the Year for 2022.

In addition to the competition, there will also be a special WCL Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Joining the Hall as members of the class of 2023 in the athlete category are Lyndsay Belisle and Dean Schmeichel. The ceremony will take place on March 25 at 6:30 PST.

Spectators are welcome to attend any of the sessions, wrestling begins at 9 a.m. on all three competition days. For complete tournament information, including live streaming links, visit the tournament site.