Hamelin makes Canada Games
Ava Hamelin (second row, second from the left) will be participating in the Canada Games for the first time as part of Team Quebec’s wrestling program. Courtesy Leta McComber
Local wrestler Ava Hamelin will be taking on a new challenge on the mats in August, as she’ll be a member of Team Quebec in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, for the Canada Games, her first time doing so.
“My coaches have been preparing me for the Canada Games practically since I began wrestling in late 2022, so I feel really proud in the fact that I can show them what I’ve learnt when I get to wrestle,” said Hamelin.
Indeed, in many past interviews with Kanien’kehá:ka Tehontatie:nas Mohawk Wrestling Club head coach Peter Montour, who has coached Havelin extensively as a member of the club, he stated how skilled Hamelin was and that he believed she would be Canada Games-bound throughout her journey when she was the topic of conversation.
“Ava is probably one of our best chances to make the Canada Games in 2025,” said Montour all the way back in November 2023, when Hamelin was barely a year into her wrestling career.
She said she has had plenty of support in her journey.
“I don’t think I’d still be wrestling if it weren’t for my coaches and teammates. My coaches are my literal family, but my teammates are my found family,” said Hamelin.
“Having each other’s backs and being able to bond every practice and wrestling trip we go on helps us all better understand how to help each other both on the mat and on the regular.”
That being said, it’s not like she doesn’t enjoy wrestling, far from it.
“Wrestling competitively gives me a feeling I don’t feel anywhere else. To have your hand raised and know that your training and persistence worked, and that you ended up overcoming any troubles during the match, is a type of euphoria I crave,” said Hamelin.
Hamelin only had one competitor for the 90-KG weight class at the tryouts - a friend, who gave the spot to Hamelin to ensure her opportunity to go to the Canada Games.
Hamelin felt that she lucked out at tryouts - on top of being matched with a friend, she was 0.1 KG above the weight class threshold - but she’ll be giving it her all in St. John’s.
“My only goal is to keep my head high and wrestle my best,” said Hamelin.
In the past, she wrestled in the 80-KG class, but decided to go up a weight class as she felt her performance would be better.
“I know how to wrestle this weight class much more than the one below me, so I know what to watch out for and how to defend,” said Hamelin.
The Canada Games in St. John’s will take place from August 8-25, with wrestling events specifically taking place from August 21-23 at Glacier Arena in the suburb of Mount Pearl.
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