For 18-year-old Keelan Salamondra, getting the chance to take part in the 2017 Canada Summer Games has been a dream.
Salamondra is taking part in the individual up to 85-kilogram wrestling competition.
“It’s been absolutely great,” said Salamondra. “The chance to wrestle with some of the best in the country has been amazing. I’ve seen a couple of these guys and heard lots about them because of my buddy, Hunter who also wrestles and we train every day, so he gives me pointers. There is a lot of skill here, and it’s just been crazy.”
Salamondra has only been wrestling for just over a year, and it showed as he dropped his first three matches of the competition, but since then, he has rallied and won three in a row which sets him up for a placement game this afternoon.
“When I look back, two of the guys I lost to are in the finals, so I can’t really be that upset,” said Salamondra
Salamondra notes he would like to continue wrestling, but he needs to look at his injured shoulder.
“It gives me troubles during and after every tournament, so If I want to continue wrestling, I need to get it looked at.” said Salamondra.
The Hunter that Salamondra trains with is also taking part in the Canada Summer Games for Manitoba and will battle for a gold medal tonight. Another Flin Flon representative is Hunter’s brother, Carson Lee and he will also battle for a gold medal this evening.
With today being the final day of competition, Salamondra will head back to the drawing board after the event but has a lot to take out of it.
“Just being able to see the field out there will really benefit me going forward,” said Salamondra. “I get to compare myself to the others, and learn about things that I have to work on.”
