Wrestling season kicks off with Quebec Open

After weeks of training, the Quebec Open wrestling tournament is one of the first ways wrestlers get a chance to shake the rust off and see what they need to do to get ready for the year ahead, including the Greater Montreal Athletic Association (GMAA) wrestling championships and provincials.

With more than 300 wrestlers from Quebec and Ontario taking part in a new venue in Pierrefonds with six mats, it was a big day for wrestling.

“It was a really great tournament,” said Kahnawake Survival School (KSS) wrestling coach Brandon Stalk.

Along with the big gym, there was also food for athletes and fans, as well as booths selling wrestling gear and merchandise.

“It was really well organized. I was really impressed by the setup and how quickly everything was running,” he said.

KSS sent four wrestlers to the open, and all four came back with medals: Rayce Leblanc won gold, Aiden Jacobs and Kane Clute won silver, and Tharahkwisere Stacey won bronze.

“You can’t ask for much more than that,” said Stalk of the KSS wrestlers’ performance.

“They finally got to be let loose and get on the mat and compete. They had fun, and they did well.”

Stalk said that they were very much ready to compete, after weeks of training - he believes that too much training without any reps is not a good thing, so getting on the mat in real competition is the best way to get ready for the rest of the year.

“After every match, our guys walked off the mat and they weren’t even breathing hard, they were ready to wrestle right away,” said Stalk.

“They showed a variety of techniques, they showed heart and toughness, and they had a great time at the tournament.”

It has not been easy for the KSS wrestling team since the tragic accident where Ken’nikahrhà:sa Cross lost his life at the end of October.

Some wrestlers have gone back to practice, but many are still grieving away from the team.

“We tell the kids that we understand what they’re going through, but we encourage them to come back to the team when they’re ready. I believe that that’s what he would want from his teammates, for them to keep going and do their best,” said Stalk.

“We’re going to do our best, for him, and just keep trying to improve our skills and compete at our best.”

In the coming weeks, Stalk is hoping the team will come together and prepare for their next big tournament in December in Ontario, the Matmen Classic in Brampton. Stalk will be doing some fundraising on his Facebook page to try and help the team go.

The Kanien’kehá:ka Tehontatie:nas Mohawk Wrestling Club (MWC) also had a good showing in the Open, with six medalists: Liam Hoshowatiuk, Sidney Hoshowatiuk, and Drake Ahmad-Gray won silver, while Joshua Shadbolt, Kawerahahawi Lahache, and Emilio Perez won bronze.

“It’s a good chance to knock the rust off. The results, as good as they are, I was more looking at where we can improve, and what our athletes have to work on for the rest of the season,” said Otiohkwanoron Montour, one of the coaches for the MWC.

Montour said the team brought mostly veteran wrestlers to the open, because it happened a little earlier in November than usual, so it gave newer wrestlers less time to prepare for what might be their first time in real competition, physically but also mentally.

“I remember my first wrestling match, and it was a little bit scary, a little bit nerve wracking. It’s always exciting to get that first taste of the sport,” said Montour.

He said it’s been so far, so good for the veterans and the newer wrestlers, and with the potential meets with other schools coming up along with the Matmen Classic, the opportunities to get better are just starting.

“I’m just proud of my athletes and that they’re developing as well as they should be,” said Montour.

“I’m just super proud of them to actually make it this far.”

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