UFV Wrestling coaches Arjan Bhullar and Raj Virdi were in Edmonton over the weekend, witnessing Cascades Wrestling Club member Jaskarn Ranu’s meteoric ascent to the top of the national podium at the Canadian Junior (U21) National Championships. Ranu took the gold medal in the 74 kg division, and has now qualified to represent Team Canada in the upcoming international season.
“Jaskarn competed as part of the Cascades Wrestling Club this year, as we prepared to join the basketball and soccer programs in the CIS next year,” said Bhullar. “It is extremely rare for a brand new program like ours to produce a national champion, but this achievement is really a testament to Jaskarn’s abilities as an athlete. My goal is to continue this success as a program, and have a banner season next year in the CIS. With the recruiting class we are expecting, I am confident that we will be a force to be reckoned with.”
Ranu won four matches on his way to the gold medal, eking out a win in the finals against SFU wrestler Reid Watkins. Although Ranu was losing with less than 30 seconds left in the match, he pulled off a dramatic last-minute takedown to tie the score at 6-6. If a match ends with a tie, the wrestler with the last takedown wins, meaning that Ranu emerged victorious.
Ranu is currently pursuing a degree in UFV’s Bachelor of Business Administration program. His season as part of Team Canada will culminate with the World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia in August.
Photo: Arjan Bhullar
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