Thirteen provincial competitors from Team Ontario stepped on the mat at the second annual John Oliver Jokers Slam Wednesday to grapple with some of Vancouvers most promising high school wrestlers.
Two of the top boys met each other last year at a national bout in Windsor, Ont.Manpreet Virk, known by almost everyone as T2, defeated Ontarian Alex Low in April at the Canadian Juvenile Championship for gold in the 80-kilogram bracket. The two met again at Virks home school for the one-day tournament although hed moved up to wrestle at 90kg. T2 pinned Low to the mat for the win.
The Jokers head coach Chris Fuoco said exposure to elite competition is valuable for novice athletes as well as champions such as Virk and Kyle Nguyen, another Joker on the Team B.C. roster.
This is huge, he said. For our kids to see this, its a big deal.
Kim Elik is a new addition to the Jokers squad since arriving from Regina late last year. She won the 47 kg bracket at the competitive Abby Invitational in December and with Anne-Cecile Panchaud, pushed the John Oliver girls to a tie for first overall.
The platinum blonde Grade 10 student didnt have a strong showing against her Ontario opponent Wednesday and was pinned in the first round but said she is dedicated to improving and winning.
My expectations are to build myself up to become a better wrestler and see how far I can get and if not, then build myself up next year and push myself, said Elik who warmed up listening to hip hop artist Nicki Minaj.
Youve got to work a lot harder and be more committed here. Thats something Im willing to do.
Fuoco welcomed the Ontario athletes who are also in B.C. this week for the Stu Hart Dual Meet, a tournament named for the late Calgary amateur wrestler and famed promoter and trainer. Since 2000, top high school wrestlers from across Canada and Japan gather to compete. This is the first time the prestigious event is being hosted in B.C.
To see more photos, go to vancourier.com/sports.
Twitter: @MHStewart
