Katikati’s wrestlers to the fore

Katikati wrestlers won the two major awards at the National Wrestling Championships in Dunedin in October.

Both the senior and junior most outstanding dynamic wrestler awards went to Katikati wrestlers Ronin Ainsley and Suraj Singh, showing the country the level of talent coming from the Katikati wrestling club.

Katikati also won the Champion Junior Club (wrestlers under 20) despite star wrestler, Westerly Ainsley being away at the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina.

Ronin Ainsley won the Junior

86kg title on the Friday, but it was his dominant performance in also taking the Senior 86kg category the next day that turned many heads.

In the final he beat Andrew Orr, an American wrestler who competes for the Rangiora Club. He was also one of only two wrestlers to complete a perfect five-point throw in the tournament in dispatching John Brown, who placed third in the weight.

Suraj Singh won the Junior

65kg division comfortably enough but found the competition much sterner in the Senior 65kg division, losing the final to Timaru’s Scott McGregor. He achieved a sliver medal. Sean Maguire won the Cadet under 60kg class, Hamish Tanner placing second in the 10-13 age group under 52kg.

Eddie Beetham was third in the under 65kg Cadet and Ben Tanner placed fourth behind his brother in the 52kg class.

Jason Harvey also placed fourth in the Senior 86kg category in what was the toughest division at the competition.

The Katikati Wrestling Club thanked Katikati Twilight bowls and the community which helped take the team to Dunedin.

Katikati wrestlers, from left back row Josh Baron (coach), Sean Maguire, Ronin Ainsley, Suraj Singh, Eddie Beetham, Jason Harvey. Front: Hamish Tanner, Ben Tanner at the national championships in Dunedin.

Katikati’s Hamish Tanner wins against Cameron Lord (Taire).

Suraj Singh and Lewis Vaughan (Combat Sports).

Eddie Beetham against Thomas Nguyen of Dilworth.