#BeachWrestling

Kerradel Beach Games wrap up in Palau

Tuesday, April 5, 2022 - 11:50 By United World Wrestling Press

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NGARAAD STATE, Palau (April 5) --- On March 26, 2022, the Ngaraard State Government, in partnership with the Palau National Olympic Committee and the Australian Embassy in Palau, hosted its first Kerradel Beach Games at Kuabes Park. Each of the five counties of Ngaraard were well represented by a total number of 59 youth participants competing in the following sports: Archery, Beach Volleyball and Beach Wrestling. 

To commence the Games Governor Sharp Sakuma and Delegate Gibson Kanai each gave brief motivation messages to the youth and further challenged them to take advantage of the opportunity of the 1st Kerradel Beach Games. It is through these events our youth get to build better and stronger relationship amongst themselves, raise awareness to fight obesity in our youth population and encourage motivation and good competition in the sport community of our state. 

PalauA wrestler finishes a double leg takedown at Kuabes Park during the Kerradel Beach Games.

The Beach Wrestling competition includes youths in boys and girls categories from ages 9 and up take part in the Games. There were about nineteen (19) athletes that competed in their respective pools. Each athlete competed in a double elimination bracket on Saturday where medals were earned as each athlete competed for their county. The overall points were tallied for the winning trophy and Elab County claimed victory as it placed 1st, Ngkeklau came in 2nd and Choll came 3rd respectively, followed by Ngebuked County and Ulimang County. 

This event was made possible by the following sponsors and partners:
1. Office of the Governor
2. Ngaraard State Government
3. Palau National Olympic Committee
4. Pacific AUS Sports
5. Australian Embassy, Palau
6. Dilngebuked Inc., Ngaraard State
7. Legislator Leon Debengek 8. Hana Ingais.

Congratulations to all participants and their youth representatives!

#CanadaWrestling

Former world champion Di Stasio of Canada retires

Thursday, March 13, 2025 - 17:45 By United World Wrestling Press

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OTTAWA, Canada (March 13) -- After nearly 15 years of representing Canada, Justina DI STASIO (CAN) has decided to retire.

During her career, Di Stasio built an impressive resume that will go down as one of the all-time greats in Canadian wrestling history. The 32-year-old represented Canada at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Di Stasio won gold medal at the World Championship in 2018, a Pan-American Games gold medal in 2019 and Commonwealth Games gold in 2022. In addition, she is a multiple-time Pan-Am Championships gold medalist.

While there have been many memorable moments, a few stood out to Di Stasio, including her start with the national team, her win at the 2018 worlds, being coached on the national team by two-time Olympic medalist Tonya VERBEEK (CAN), and making her first Olympics in 2024.

“Winning worlds was a special moment, especially because I could hear my parents cheering from the stands," Di Stasio said. "It reminded me of my tournaments as a kid. It also helped me frame everything in my life better. I realized it is about the journey and not the destination. It was amazing to feel the way I did on that one day, but it was only one day. I had worked so hard in the lead up, but I realized I had to enjoy those days too. I still wanted to be the best in the world and I never didn’t train like it, but from that point, I made sure to enjoy my wrestling every day.”

That love for the sport kept Di Stasio going despite setbacks that stalled her dream of competing at the Olympics. After failing to qualify for the Rio and Tokyo Games, Di Stasio qualified for Paris 2024, eventually finishing 12th.

“Making it to the Olympics came with lots of pressure, but good pressure. I had won everything else and trained every day thinking I could be an Olympic champion. Even though it was a heart-breaking result, I know I couldn’t have worked harder and that helped me accept the result. I would have loved to make it there when I was younger, but I think I needed to be more mature to handle the result.”

Read full news on Wrestling Canada Lutte website.