Summerside awarded 2022 Canada Cup of Wrestling
Event will feature over 130 wrestlers from around the world
SUMMERSIDE — The City of Summerside, in partnership with Wrestling Canada, announced Tuesday, June 1, that Credit Union Place will host the 2022 Canada Cup of Wrestling.
The Canada Cup, which will take place on July 2 of next year, features the top 130 wrestlers from around the globe with countries like Korea, Russia, Brazil, United States and Puerto Rico making the regular pilgrimage to this signature Wrestling Canada event.
“Our city has always punched above its weight when it comes to hosting,” said Summerside Mayor Basil Stewart. “Over the last four decades, the City of Summerside has played host to countless national and international events, and I look very much forward to welcoming athletes from around the world to our city next summer.”
The event’s projected economic impact is $1.3 million, said Dallas Desjardins, sport tourism co-ordinator with Sport and Event Tourism Summerside (SETS).
There are hopes that the 2022 edition of the event will feature some local flavour. Local wrestler Hannah Taylor is no stranger to the Canada Cup, finishing second in her category in 2019, and Summerside native Ligrit Sadiku has international experience wearing the Canadian colours.
Wrestling has been in the local media a lot over the past few years because of Taylor and Sadiku.
This event will only bolster the local wrestling club further, and the legacy left behind will benefit local events in the form of new competition mats and equipment.
HISTORY
The Canada Cup was initiated in the fall of 1980 at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont., and featured the national teams of Canada, Hungary, Japan and U.S.A. A women’s division was added for the first time in the tournament’s history in 1998.
This fan-friendly event will be a one-day, double-elimination bracket system, guaranteeing each competitor at least two matches and treating fans a thrilling high-intensity sport to experience. A total of 10 weight categories, for both male and female competitors, will provide action throughout the day as champions get crowned.
On the heels of a very positive provincial reopening plan announced last week, this event announcement is another hopeful sign that sport tourism in Summerside is on the path to rebounding.
“Being awarded this signature international sporting event in the midst of a global pandemic speaks to the confidence Wrestling Canada Lutte and other national sport governing bodies have in our city and SETS organization,” said JP Desrosiers, director of community services for the City of Summerside. “This international event is yet another example of the diverse spectrum our SETS division is capable of delivering, and we look forward to welcoming the over 130 athletes, 60 staff, family, friends and media to our city in 2022.”