Abbotsford wrestler Chanmit Phulka staged a breakthrough on the international stage on Saturday, grappling his way to a gold medal at the Resita International Junior Championships in Romania.
The Resita event is considered one of Europe's top tournaments, and featured athletes from 14 European nations.
Phulka, a 19-year-old Rick Hansen Secondary grad, earned a spot on the Canadian junior national team by virtue of his gold medal at the Canadian junior championships in Edmonton in March.
He defeated opponents from Italy, Bulgaria and Germany en route to the 96 kg final, where he defeated another Bulgarian athlete to clinch the gold.
In the title match, Phulka dropped the first round 1-0, but battled back to win the next two 6-1 and 1-0.
"It's outstanding," marveled Sucha Mann, Phulka's longtime coach with the Miri Piri Wrestling Club. "He's doing so well at the international level. I couldn't believe, as a coach, that he beat all those top guys."
Phulka's next stop is Ankara, Turkey, where he'll participate in another international tourney with Team Canada this weekend.