Wrestlers in Montreal hoping to qualify for worlds at the U-23 trials in Laval

The Y Reinitz Wrestling Club at the National Training Centre in Montreal has two of the top wrestlers in the country preparing for the U-23 Canadian World Team trials in Laval on May 27th.

Connor Church and Virginie Gascon can qualify for the U-23 World Championships if they win their respective weight classes at this tournament.

“With this tournament, it tells who’s going to go compete at the world championships in Finland and it’s my last year to do that U-23, so it’s it’s very important,” said Gascon, who is wrestling in the 55 kilogram weight class.

“Every tournament is important and it’s just an opportunity to really develop self-confidence and, you know, technical skills and the mindset to becoming a champion,” said David Zilberman, assistant coach at the wrestling club.

Wrestler Virginie Gascon (right) preparing for the Under 23 Canadian World Team trials May 27 in Laval. (Image: Gareth Madoc-Jones/CityNews)

Judging by their previous success, Church and Gascon should have expectations to win as both won gold at the 2023 Senior Canadian Championships. And both have twice won the Junior Canadian Championships.

“It’s not like anything new. I’ve had to make multiple world teams before so I’m used to it and I feel like I succeed under environments where I’m under a lot of pressure,” said Church, who competes in the 79 kilo class.

Church is from Winnipeg, Manitoba and Gascon grew up in Windsor, Ontario, but they now train in Montreal. 

Wrestler Connor Church (left) at the National Training Centre in Montreal. (Image: Gareth Madoc-Jones/CityNews)

The National Training Centre gives the wrestlers an opportunity to train with some of the best in the country, but it’s not just their wrestling skills that make these athletes elite.

“I’d say our gymnastics, we do lots of gymnastics, swimming. We don’t just wrestle,” said Church. “We do lots of cross training. And I think that separates us from other wrestling centers.” 

“It’s amazing. I’ve been here for the past five years now and I’ve only gotten better, so I think it’s great,” said Gascon.

Wrestler Virginie Gascon (right) at the National Training Centre in Montreal. (Image: Gareth Madoc-Jones/CityNews)

The hard work as well as the technical and mental training needed to compete require a certain perseverance, but it appears both Church and Gascon feed off of these challenges to become the best.

“I love the feeling, you know, winning and the pursuit of getting better,” adds Gascon.