Montreal wrestler qualifies for 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris

It’s a dream come true for Montrealer Alex Moore who will compete for Canada in wrestling at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. 

“I wouldn’t trade anything for it. Yeah, best feeling of my life,” said Alex Moore, who competes in the 86 kg weight class.

Wrestling out of the Montreal National Training Centre, the 26-year-old qualified for the Summer Games at the Pan-American Olympic Qualifiers in Mexico earlier this month. Moore pinned his opponent in the final minute of his final match to secure his spot at the Olympics. 

“Those last few seconds you’re trying not to get too excited about accomplishing your dream, but I was dialed in, focused and I think I broke the guy mentally and physically,” explained Moore. “I was just ready to go and excited to accomplish my lifelong dream.”

“Just thrilled that he was able to accomplish what he did considering the circumstances,” said David Zilberman, Moore’s coach at the Y Reinitz Wrestling Centre and Montreal National Training Centre, adding, “he showed a lot of poise and determination going into that event.”

Moore had to overcome adversity and significant injuries to become an Olympian. Four years ago, he tore his ACL and needed shoulder surgery a week before trying to qualify for the last Olympic Games in Tokyo. 

This year, Moore suffered a broken hand less than two months before competing in the Olympic qualifying tournament and was in a cast for four weeks. 

“I was barely on the mats for seven weeks, I was on the mats two or three times. And yeah, it was a lot of adversity to overcome for sure,” said Moore. 

“Once I qualified, I just felt that much better because it was so much harder. It was so much harder than it was supposed to be in my mind since I was a little kid. And going through all that just made it sweeter.” 

“Just proud of his ability to overcome these crazy obstacles in qualifying for the Olympics,” said Zilberman. “Also, just keeping the traditional live with the Montreal Wrestling Club and the YMHA Reinitz Wrestling Centre and producing Olympians.” 

Now that he’s about to realize a dream he’s had since he was a kid, Moore is preparing in Montreal for the Olympics in Paris that take place from July 26 to August 11. 

“Eighty-six kilos is one of the toughest weight classes at the Olympics. Alex has a potential to medal at the Olympics,” said Zilberman. “What he needs to do is keep training, keep developing all his skills and be healthy and ready to compete the day of the tournament.”

“It’s gonna be a hard summer, the job’s not finished now, we got to go bring home a medal for Canada. So yeah, me and my coach will devise the game plan and I’m gonna figure something out,” said Moore.