News Page

Wrestlers grapple to help 2014 Games bid

MARTIN HANNAN - SPORT.scotsman.com 7/29/06

Glasgow, Scotland - DESPITE being the leading home nation at junior level in the ancient sport of wrestling, Scotland has slim hopes of medal success at the inaugural Commonwealth Youth Wrestling Championships, taking place this weekend in Glasgow's Kelvin Hall.

Seen as yet more evidence of Glasgow's seriousness in its bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, these first-ever championships for the 16-18 age group feature young stars from seven countries. Hosting the youth event represents a remarkable double for Glasgow, which also held the first senior Commonwealth championships back in 1985.

As well as Scotland, England and Wales, wrestlers from Canada, Malta, New Zealand and South Africa are at the Kelvin Hall, where admission for today's competition, which includes the finals, is free. Last-minute visa problems prevented several African countries, such as Nigeria, from attending.

"It's a shame that the Africans couldn't make it, and we had hoped to get the Indians here, but we still have some of the finest young wrestlers in the Commonwealth in Glasgow," said John Keogh, development officer with Scottish Wrestling Association.

"Scotland had a chance of medals, but we have made a poor start this morning and I don't expect many of our boys to make the final stages," said Keogh last night. "This is the first time that many of our youngsters have taken part in an international tournament and it is clear we have a lot to learn."

Keogh and his wife, Karen, along with SWA president Michael Cavanagh and vice-president Gerry Malone, have been largely responsible for organising the tournament with the backing of Glasgow City Council's 2014 bid team and the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde.

John's son Sean is one of our leading young wrestlers but he is hampered by rib injuries and, while winning two of his bouts yesterday, he unexpectedly lost the other. He is Scotland's main hope of a medal in today's finals. Scotland's sole female participant, 16-year-old Vicky Kirk, lost her opening bout but could yet qualify for the finals if she wins today.

"Sean broke his ribs six weeks ago in the USA," said Keogh Snr, "but he was determined to compete even though he is clearly not 100% fit."

The two teams most likely to sweep the board are South Africa and Canada, the latter represented by the brilliant young Team Ontario. In the recent Canada Cup tournament, the under-18 boys' team from Ontario was second only to the senior Canadian national team, while the under-18 women's team was third behind the senior national teams of Canada and Sweden.

The loss of India's participation was painful for the organisers. Wrestling is one of India's major sports, and the fact that New Delhi will host the Commonwealth Games in 2010 has ensured that wrestling will feature as a fully-ranked sport in the Games proper.

"In Scotland we should be looking to develop our youngsters so they can compete in India in 2010," said Keogh.

"Our kids have had a reality check in Glasgow, but when you learn of the massive support which the South African and Canadian youngsters get, once again we Scots really are the poor relations."

---------------------------------------------------------------

Triumphant return

Jade Parsons wins three gold medals

By Lacey Sheppy - Orillia Packet & Times

Local Sports - Thursday, July 27, 2006

ORILLIA, ONTARIO, CANADA - Jade Parsons has a medal of every colour to mark her first three trips to the Canadian junior and juvenile judo championships.

The 15-year-old Orillia athlete captured a silver medal at the 2004 event, followed by a bronze last year and a gold earlier this month in Lethbridge, Alta. Ive really wanted to win the last two years, said Parsons. I feel like I really worked hard to get this (gold) at the tournament.

Parsons beat competitors from Quebec and Alberta before defeating Oshawas Viktoria Sokolovska to win the juvenile girls 48-kilogram title. We were tied at the end of the round 1-1 so the match went into overtime, said Parsons. I got her into a hold and held her for 20 seconds until time ran out.

From Lethbridge, Parsons, who also competes for the Mariposa Pure Wrestling Club, joined fellow grapplers Carly Wright and Brandon Peacock in Guelph for the 2006 Canada Cup.

The trio finished fourth at the tournament and quickly hopped a plane to Scotland for the Commonwealth Youth Wrestling Championships and the Braveheart Invitational to test their mettle against some strong international competition.

It was a good experience for all the kids, said Mariposa Pure coach Bob Parsons. It gives them a look at what the next level could be like.

After a disappointing showing at the Canada Cup, Jade Parsons bounced back to defeat Krista Betts (New Brunswick) and Zara DAbbadie (South Africa) to capture a gold medal in the girls 46kg division at the Commonwealth championships.

She was difficult to wrestle, Parsons said of DAbbadie. She didnt tie up and didnt like getting close, so she shot from far away. I couldnt really read her the first round.

Wright finished third in the girls 56kg division, beating opponents from England and Ontario to capture the bronze medal. Peacock, a 54kg grappler, didnt make the medal podium, but went 2-2 in round-robin matches. I was happy because I didnt expect to do that well, he said. It was weird to wrestle the guys from Scotland because they were a lot more scrappy than Im used to.

Peacocks stint at the Braveheart Invitational was short-lived due to an injury in his first match. A kid shot in for my legs, so I sprawled and my braces got caught on his singlet, he said. I was in a pin position for a minute and a half until the match was done.

Peacock visited both a doctor and dentist in Scotland and was released in time to watch Parsons capture her third gold medal of the month.

Parsons went undefeated in five matches against opponents from South Africa, New Brunswick and Windsor to earn her second consecutive tournament title.

It was a great experience, she said. I met so many different people and had a lot of fun.

------------------------------------------------------------

Thorold wrestler brings home the gold from tournament in Glasgow, Win comes after sixth place finish at Youth Commonwealth Championships

Wayne Creighton - Niagara this week

Jul 28, 2006

THOROLD, ONTARIO, CANADA -- Craig Stewart returned home from Scotland last week with a little something extra in his luggage.

The 17-year-old Thorold High School student brought back a gold medal from the Braveheart wrestling tournament in Glasgow, which followed the inaugural Commonwealth Youth Wrestling Championships where Stewart placed sixth.

Before he even left Canada, Stewart placed fifth in the 85 kilogram division at the Canada Cup competition held at the University of Guelph.

At the Braveheart tournament, Stewart faced many of the same opponents he wrestled at the Commonwealth championships and in his first match defeated the gold medal winner.

"I wrestled better in the Braveheart tournament then I did in the Commonwealths," said Stewart Tuesday evening during a welcome home barbecue thrown by his proud parents. "I'm not sure why, maybe it was nerves and I think I was better mentally prepared for the Braveheart."

The defending SOSSA champion at 95 kilograms, Stewart has only been wrestling for a couple of years and was thrilled with the results from his first international competitions.

"I didn't think I would walk with away with a gold medal from an international tournament," said Stewart. "It's great for my confidence. It's one of those accomplishments that no one can ever take away from you."

Stewart will compete this weekend at the Ohio State Fair before turning his attention to the football field when school begins in September.

A backyard full of family and friends was testament to the fact that while Stewart's accomplishment had plenty of help.

"My family has been very supportive along with businesses around town. My employer Thorold IGA gave me the time off. I would really like to thank all of them," said Stewart.

------------------------------------

COMMONWEALTH YOUTH WRESTLING
MEN’S & WOMEN’S FREESTYLE WRESTLING

Glasgow, SCOTLAND

Commonwealth Youth Wrestling Championships - RESULTS

Kelvin Hall - Glasgow, SCOTLAND, July 15-16, 2006

Female

38kg. - 0

40kg. - 1. - Bramilda Leeaw - South Africa

43kg. - 1. - Michelle Hoogkgk - South Africa

2. - Juanita Haywood - South Africa

3. - Jasmine Scobie - Canada

46kg. - 1. - Jade Parsons - Canada

2. - Krista Betts - Canada

3. - Zara D' Abbadie - South Africa

49kg. - 1. - Tessa Gallinger - Canada

2. - Emile Guitard - Canada

52kg. - 1. - Diana Ford - Canada

2. - Blaire Brown - Canada

3. - Vicky Kirk - Scotland

56kg. - 1. - Zumicke Geringel - South Africa

2. - Samantha Trundle - Canada

3. - Carly Wright - Canada

60kg. - 1. - Heide Erdle - Canada

2. - Alexis Kilroy - Canada

3. - Chanell Engelbrecht - South Africa

65kg. - 1. - Desire Smith - South Africa

2. - Melinda Marias - South Africa

3. - Laura Steffler - Canada

70kg. - 1. - Emmalee English - Canada

Commonwealth Championships:

Best Female Wrestler Award : 56kg. - Zumicke Geringel - South Africa

FEMALE TEAM TROPHY : was won by - CANADA

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL WRESTLING

Braveheart Youth Wrestling Championships

Srathclyde University Sports Center - Glasgow, SCOTLAND

July 21 , 2006

RESULTS

Female

38kg. - 0

40kg. - 1. - Bramilda Leeaw - South Africa

2. - Jasmine Scobie - Canada

43kg. - 1. - Krista Betts - Canada

2. - Juanita Haywood - South Africa

46kg. - 1. - Zara D' Abbadie - South Africa

2. - Tessa Gallinger - Canada

49kg. - 1. - Jade Parsons - Canada

2. - Emile Guitard - Canada

3. - Samantha Rittman - South Africa

52kg. - 1. - Kathryn Bowes - Canada