Wrestlers from all over the country are set to return to the Tsuut’ina Nation in Alberta, April 25-27, at the 7 Chiefs Sportsplex & Jim Starlight Centre for the 2025 Canadian Wrestling Championships (U19, U17, U15). The event was last held in Tsuut’ina Nation in 2022 where the U15 age group was first added to the competition. Since then, the event has continued to grow, attracting top talents from all three age groups.
It will be an action packed three days as there will be 12 weight classes for each of the three age groups in Men’s Freestyle, Women’s Wrestling, Men’s Greco-Roman and Women’s Greco-Roman.
“We are incredibly excited to bring the 2025 Canadian Wrestling Championships (U19, U17, U15) back to the Tsuut’ina Nation,” said Tamara Medwidsky, WCL CEO. “This event represents not only a celebration of athletic excellence but also a meaningful opportunity to engage with a vibrant and welcoming community. We are deeply grateful to the host organizing committee (Canada Cup of Wrestling Society), Tsuut’ina Nation, the dedicated venue staff at the 7 Chiefs Sportsplex & Jim Starlight Centre, the Dinos Wrestling Club and Tourism Calgary for their outstanding support and collaboration. Their commitment helps ensure an unforgettable experience for our athletes, coaches, and fans from across the country.”
“The Canada Cup of Wrestling Society, Dinos Wrestling Club and Tourism Calgary are thrilled to host the 2025 Canadian Wrestling Championships (U19, U17, U15) as we return to 7 Chiefs Sportsplex on the beautiful Tsuut’ina Nation adjacent to southwest Calgary,” said Mitch Ostberg, Event Co-chair. “The growth seen in these age groups in wrestling in Canada is on full display with nearly a thousand competitors entering the competition. The best of our nation’s youth wrestlers will battle for 72 gold medals in their respective age categories over three days. We are excited to see them all compete and wish them the best of luck!”
The event will feature many competitors that have already made a name for themselves and represented Canada at international competitions. Perhaps none bigger than Abbotsford, British Columbia’s Michaeljeet Grewal. Grewal, who trains out of Guru Gobin Singh Wrestling Club, won back-to-back gold medals at the U17 Pan-American (Pan-Am) Championships in 2023 and 2024. He also narrowly missed a medal at the 2024 World U17 Championships, finishing fifth at 92kg. This year he moves up to the U19 division looking for more of the same results.
On the women’s side, a pair of U17 Pan-Am medalists will be in action with Surrey, British Columbia’s Iraabir Sooch (46kg) and Khushi Jhalli (69kg) taking to the mats. The two Canadian Mal Wrestling Club wrestlers each brough home a medal in 2024 with Jhalli taking silver and Sooch bronze at the U17 Pan-Ams. Sooch moves up to the U19 division this year, while Jhalli remains eligible at U17.
With this being a large event, there will be numerous local representatives as well. One to watch is a multiple-time Team Canada member, Calgary’s Paige Veloso. She is set to compete at 65kg in the U19 age group. Veloso, from Alberta Elite Women’s Wrestling Club, has represented Canada at the last three U17 Pan-Am Championships, earning fourth, fifth and sixth place finishes. She will be just one of the many talented local individuals competing.
In addition to the competition, there will also be a special WCL Hall of Fame induction ceremony to induct the first member of the class of 2024 – Carol Huynh. Huynh is a two-time Olympic medalist (gold – 2008, bronze 2012), two-time Pan-Am Games gold medalist (2007, 2011), Commonwealth Games gold medalist (2010) and four-time World Championships medalist (2001- Silver, 2000, 2005 and 2010 – bronze). Huynh is currently a coach with the Calgary Dinos Wrestling Club, so the event is sure to see a great turnout to honour her. The ceremony will take place on April 26 at 6:30 local time.
Spectators are invited to attend any of the sessions, wrestling begins at 9 a.m. on all three competition days. Tickets are available at the door. The event will also be streamed on FloWrestling. For complete tournament information, visit the tournament site.
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.
Media contact:
Darren Matte
Marketing & Communications Manager
dmatte@wrestling.ca
416-768-6847