A number of Abbotsford wrestlers are set to compete at the Canadian Wrestling Championships (U19, U17, U15) on March 24 to 26 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
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.
Robert Bateman Secondary School’s Rupinder Johal is back to defend her title in the 80 kilograms division. Johal, who trains with Guru Gobind Singh Wrestling Club, also won gold at the 2022 Cadet Pan-American Championships and Canada Summer Games. She was recently nominated for the Sport BC female high school athlete of the year award.
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W.J. Mouat’s Tejvir Dhinsa is also returning to defend his title U19 92 kg title. 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. He also trains at Guru Gobind Singh Wrestling Club.
Johal and Dhinsa both won medals at the British Columbia School Sports Wrestling Championships in February.
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Other local competitors at the event include: Rubin Dhaliwal (U15, 100 kg), Gurkaran Gill (U15, 85 kg), Manjot Dhaliwal (U15, 68 kg), Mehar Deol (U15, 68 kg), Harvey Grewal (U15, 62 kg), Panav Sidhu (U15, 57 kg), Maliq Sidhu (U15, 44 kg), Roop Ghuman (U15, 41 kg), Joel Beraki (U15, 38 kg), Gurshar Johal (U17, 51 kg), Dominic Wendt (U17, 55 kg), Aikam Sahota (U17, 60 kg), Jovan Johal (U17, 65 kg), Sahib Sidhu (U17, 65 kg), Jodhan Deol (U17, 71 kg), Michaeljeet Grewal (U17, 92 kg), Jasnoor Kainth (U17, 92kg), Jagroop Dhinsa (U17, 110 kg), Inder Singh Lidder (U17, 110 kg), Manraj Randhawa (U17, 110 kg)., Mehtab Rai (U17, 125 kg), Parm Lidder (U19, 65 kg), Omrao Dhadda (U19, 71 kg), Karan Grewal (U19, 71 kg), Prithvi Mann (U19, 71 kg), Gurjot Sahota (U19, 71 kg), Mantaj Grewal (U19, 92 kg), Chanpreet Nijjar (U19, 92 kg) and Jack McEwen (U19, 110 kg).
Clubs represented also include: Miri Piri Wrestling Club and Abbotsford Traditional Secondary School.
“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,” stated 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.”
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.
Vancouver set for 2023 Canadian Wrestling Championships (U19, U17, U15): https://t.co/6JP8eyBwn8 #Wrestling
— Wrestling Canada Lutte (@WrestlingCanada) March 16, 2023