Laval to host 2023 U23 Canadian Wrestling Championships and Senior World Team selection events (non-Olympic weight classes)

OTTAWA - Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) is pleased to announce that Laval, Quebec has been awarded the organization of the 2023 Canadian Under-23 Wrestling Championship and Senior World Team Selection Events (in non-Olympic weight categories). The first-ever event will take place on May 27 and 28 at Place Bell, in partnership with the Fédération de Lutte Olympique du Québec (FLOQ) and Tourisme Laval - Laval SportCité.

"WCL is very excited to return to the province of Quebec and the city of Laval for the first edition of this event," said Tamara Medwidsky, WCL's Executive Director, who continued: "The province has a rich wrestling history, and holding this event here will only enrich it further. We should see some great fights, as athletes compete for the chance to be recognized as Canadian champions and represent their country at the 2023 World Championships."

"Holding the 2023 Canadian Under-23 Wrestling Championships and World Team Selection Events (non-Olympic weight categories) in Laval is an extraordinary opportunity to showcase our high-caliber sports infrastructures, and for our attractions and hotels to demonstrate their hospitality and know-how. The event will generate significant economic, tourism and social spin-offs. Laval SportCité is proud to have contributed to bringing such a prestigious competition to Laval," said Geneviève Roy, President and CEO of Tourisme Laval.

"On behalf of myself and the entire Quebec Olympic wrestling community, we would like to thank Wrestling Canada Lutte for awarding the upcoming 2023 Canadian Under 23 Wrestling Championships and World Team Selection Events (non-Olympic weight classes)," said FLOQ President Jean-François Daviau. "FLOQ is thrilled to welcome Canada's top wrestlers and hopes to offer them an experience that will positively impact their careers and athletic development. Olympic wrestling has a long tradition in Quebec, which continues thanks to the support of Wrestling Canada. We look forward to seeing you there, and wish you every success in the meantime!

The Canadian Under-23 Wrestling Championship will be a first for WCL. It will crown national champions in WCL's twenty weight categories (ten in men's freestyle, ten in women's). The winners will also qualify to represent Canada at the 2023 World Under-23 Championship, to be held October 23-28 in Tampere, Finland. This is an opportunity for U23 athletes to hone their skills at another national event, as traditionally the team was selected on the basis of U23 athletes' performances at the Senior Canadian Championships.

"It's very special and exciting for me to have a tournament organized in the city where I grew up," said Martine Dugrenier, FLOQ director and member of the host organizing committee. She added: "Laval has been very supportive of me during my sporting career, so it's special for me to organize a wrestling event in collaboration with Laval."

The Senior World Team Selection Trials (in non-Olympic weight categories) are a second chance for senior athletes who may not have been able to secure a good place at the 2023 Senior Canadian Championships (formerly the Canadian Wrestling Selection Trials) in one of the 12 Olympic weight categories. The weight categories to be contested at the event are: LLM 61kg, LLM 70kg, LLM 79kg, LLM 92kg, LLF 55kg, LLF 59kg, LLF 65kg and LLF 72kg. Winners in these weight categories will join the 2023 Canadian Senior Championship qualifiers on the team that will represent Canada at the World Senior Championships, September 16-23, in Belgrade, Serbia.