Island-born wrestler Hannah Taylor wins gold at international competition in her hometown

Wrestler Hannah Taylor has now received gold for her hometown in her hometown.

Eighty-five wrestlers from throughout Canada, the U.S., South Korea and Jamaica took to the mat Saturday at the Canada Cup of Wrestling in Summerside.

The one-day event is supposed to present Canadian wrestlers expertise going through competitors from different nations.

The 24-year-old Taylor, a two-time silver medallist on the Pan American Wrestling Championships, has participated within the occasion a number of occasions. However that is the primary time she’s really competed in Summerside.

“I by no means acquired to really compete in my hometown … and I have been within the sport for about 10 years,” she mentioned. “So it is a fairly particular occasion for me.” 

Taylor received gold within the 57-kilogram weight class after defeating Alexandria City of Ontario within the ultimate.

She mentioned she hasn’t been capable of take part in as many competitions as she would have favored over the previous two years resulting from COVID-19. However that is altering with the Commonwealth Video games and senior world championships just some months forward.

“I used to be fortunate sufficient to have the ability to come again to Prince Edward Island and simply wrestle in a basement with my boyfriend, Ligrit Sadiku, who was additionally a wrestler,” she mentioned. “So I acquired to have the ability to prepare all through the pandemic.”

Showcasing the game

Lee MacKay, president of the board of administrators at Wrestling Canada, mentioned the event gave athletes an opportunity to really feel the thrill to wrestle in entrance of followers as soon as once more.

“You’ll be able to hear the followers within the stands and that is all the time good to have,” he mentioned.

Taylor mentioned there was no stress wrestling in entrance of household and mates.

“Folks may suppose as a result of it is my hometown I really want to win. However I simply wish to showcase the game of wrestling, a sport that has given me a lot,” she mentioned. 

“To have the ability to simply wrestle in entrance of my household is fairly cool as a result of, win or lose, I nonetheless get to showcase my expertise and showcase the game and simply have enjoyable.”