OTTAWA— Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) is proud to announce the 18 athletes, along with coaches, support staff and officials, that will represent Canada at the 2025 U17 Pan-American (Pan-Am) Championships, June 19-21 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. All athletes attending the event were recently crowned national champions at the 2025 Canadian Wrestling Championships. The team will also feature returning members who competed at the 2024 U17 Pan-Ams, including five medalists.
“Wrestling Canada Lutte is eager to see how our next generation of wrestlers look as many enter their first foray of international wrestling. This year’s team features a strong mix of emerging talent making their international debuts, alongside returning medalists from the 2024 squad who bring valuable experience to the mat,” said Chris Woodcroft, WCL High Performance Director. “We are looking forward to witnessing the impact new lead coach Frank Mensah and assistant coach Vanessa Brown will have on this new crop of athletes. WCL is proud to support these athletes and coaches as they take the next step in their wrestling journeys and wish them the best of luck!”
On the women’s side the team will be led by returning silver medalist Khusi Jhalli who will compete at 69kg. After winning her medal last year, Jhalli, from Surrey, British Columbia and Canadian Mal Wrestling Club, went on to compete at the U17 World Championships. She will be joined by another Surrey native and Canadian Mal member in Iraabir Sooch who will compete at 46kg. Sooch also captured a medal at the 2024 Pan-Ams, a bronze, and had the experience of competing at the Worlds. Both competitors will look to build on their 2024 success at this year’s event.
As for the men, there will also be a returning silver medalist as Port Coquitlam, British Columbia’s Liam Gorton is set to compete at 65kg. Much like Jhalli and Sooch, Gorton, from Coast RTC, also brings World Championship experience with him having competed in 2024. A pair of 2024 Pan-Am bronze medalists will also be in action. Pickering, Ontario’s Aaharen Piranavan, from Team Impact, will compete at 55kg, while St. Laurent, Manitoba’s Beau Chartrand, from Coast RTC, will battle at 80kg.
2025 U17 Pan-Am Team
| Weight Class | Name | Hometown | Club |
| WW 43kg | NASU, Mariza | Garibaldi Highlands, BC | Coast RTC |
| WW 46kg | SOOCH, Iraabir | Surrey, BC | Canadian Mal WC |
| WW 49kg | MASON, Kamryn | North Vancouver, BC | Coast RTC |
| WW 53kg | PERRY, Clara | Calgary, AB | Alberta Elite Women’s WC |
| WW 57kg | PARE, Kai | Williams Lake, BC | Coast RTC |
| WW 61kg | WOJCIECHOWSKI, Natalie | Surrey, BC | Coast RTC |
| WW 65kg | PACE, Cassidy | Cowichan Bay, BC | Takedown Wrestling Academy |
| WW 69kg | JHALLI, Khushi | Surrey, BC | Canadian Mal WC |
| WW 73kg | HEALEY, Jolina | Fanny Bay, BC | Rhino WC |
| FS 45kg | AUCOIN, Jack | Calgary, AB | The Roc |
| FS 48kg | PARRA, Ricky | Kitchener, ON | Matmen WC |
| FS 51kg | CASA, Jonrex | Toronto, ON | Central Toronto WC |
| FS 55kg | PIRANAVAN, Aaharen | Pickering, ON | Team Impact |
| FS 60kg | NASH, Nathan | Smithville, ON | Team Discipline |
| FS 65kg | GORTON, Liam | Port Coquitlam, BC | Coast RTC |
| FS 80kg | CHARTRAND, Beau | St. Laurent, MB | Coast RTC |
| FS 92kg | SHERGILL. Harjot | Langley, BC | Canadian Mal WC |
| FS 110kg | BILLEN, Uday | Surrey, BC | Rustom WC |
Accompanying the team are the coaching staff and team officials. The group includes U17 lead coach Frank Mensah and assistant coach Vanessa Brown; personal coaches Jevon Balfour, Kimin Kim and Aman Dhillon; team leader Jolene Wong; and physiotherapist Jason White. Lenis Thokle will represent Canada as an official.
For live updates, schedules, and results, visit the official tournament page: UWW Event Hub. The event will be streamed on UWW+.
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.
For more information:
DARREN MATTE
Marketing & Communications Manager
Wrestling.ca
Tel: 416-768-6847
Email: dmatte@wrestling.ca