OTTAWA — Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) and the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) are proud to announce the four athletes that will represent Canada at the 2025 Junior Pan American (Pan Am) Games, August 9-23, in Asunción, Paraguay. The athletes are:
Serena Di Benedetto (Stoney Creek, Ont.) – Women’s Wrestling 53kg
Mia Friesen (St. Catharines, Ont.) – Women’s Wrestling 57kg
Javier Tonita-Charriez (Regina, Sask.) – Men’s Freestyle 57kg
Jorawar Dhinsa (Abbotsford, B.C.) – Men’s Freestyle 125kg
“We are incredibly proud to announce the talented group of athletes who will represent Canada at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay,” said Tamara Medwidsky, CEO, Wrestling Canada Lutte. “This team reflects the hard work, dedication, and passion that define Canadian wrestling. We’re excited to see them showcase their skills on the international stage and continue building toward the future of our sport.”
The group earned their spot on the team by winning their weight class at the 2025 Canadian U23 Wrestling Championships, June 27-28 in Thorold, Ont. The group has already made a name for themselves on the international stage.
On the women’s side, Di Benedetto (22), who trains out of Hamilton Wrestling Club, is coming off a World silver medal at the 2024 U23 World Championships. In 2025, she not only captured the national title at U23, but also at the senior level. She won a silver at the 2025 U23 Pan Am Championships and was 5th at the 2025 Senior Pan Am Championships.
Friesen (23), from Brock Wrestling Club, is a past two-time silver medalist at the Pan Am Championships, at the U23 level in 2024 and U20 level in 2022. She has also represented Canada at the World Championships at both the U23 and U20 level.
Tonita-Charriez (18), from Advanced Wrestling Academy, is the youngest member of the team and only recently made his international debut, following wins at the U20 and U23 Canadian Wrestling Championships. He competed at the U20 Pan Am Championships in earlier this month, earning a top 10 finish.
Dhinsa (20), from Burnaby Mountain Wrestling Club, is also the current Canadian senior champion at 125kg. He too has had success internationally, having won two Pan Am Championship medals in 2024 at the U23 and U20 events.
Wrestling at the Junior Pan Am Games will take place August 21 to 23.
Team Canada’s wrestling team for the Asunción Junior Pan American Games also includes the following coaches:
Owen Dawkins (Edmonton, Alta.) – Team lead/lead coach
Heather Sweezey (St. Catharines, Ont.) – Coach
About The 2025 Junior Pan American Games
The 2025 Junior Pan American Games will be held from August 9 to 23, 2025 and will bring together more than 4,000 athletes from 41 countries, who will compete in 28 sports and 42 disciplines, with 218 direct qualification slots for the Lima 2027 Pan American Games available. The 2025 will be the second edition of the Junior Pan American Games. For more information visit: https://asu2025.org.py/
About Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL)
Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) is the national sport governing body for Olympic style wrestling in Canada. Among its responsibilities, the association selects and prepares Canada’s teams that participate in international competitions including Continental Championships, World Championships and major multi-sport Games (i.e. Olympic Games). WCL works with provincial and territorial partners to deliver world-class programs and services to athletes, coaches, and officials to achieve podium success and grow the sport.
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