Stag Special

It was a fruitful trip to Alberta for CFB Shilo’s grapplers, with 2PPCLI and 1RCHA supplying the competitors.
2PPCLI’s MCpl Aidan St. Laurent was the big winner at Garrison Edmonton during the four-day event, scoring a double-gold performance on the mat during the competition.
In one of his victories, MCpl Aidan, at 160 pounds and grappling in the 160 pound class, made use of the D’arce choke.
1RCHA’s Gnr Peter Mubambe dominated in the heavyweight division, grappling in the 242+ pounds class, garnering the other gold medal.
The lone silver medal went to Cpl Riley Simon Walsh, who at 185 pounds, grappled in the 198-pound class.
According to fellow grappler 1RCHA CO LCol Joe O’Donnell, CFB Shilo’s team used the Canada West grappling competition as a learning session, with this year’s event not leading to a trip to CAF nationals.
This trip west was a building block to strengthening the Shilo Grappling program, and inviting men and women to come out and participate in a new sport being offered.
There were plenty of head-to-head matches for CFB Shilo’s grapplers, besides going up against grapplers from other Army Bases located in Western Canada.
Vehicle tech Cpl Christopher Smith from 1RCHA — weighing 225 pounds — earned a victory in the 242+ pound weight class on the mat using a Kimura move.
Here are the other competitors who grappled under the Shilo Stag flag: from 2PPCLI MCpl Jonathan Stell 170 pounds weight class 178 pounds; Cpl Tibor Tihanyi 180 pounds, weight class 198 pounds; Cpl Nicholas Bartchouk 180 pounds weight class 198 pounds; Cpl Donald Gamble 206 pounds weight class 220 pounds; Pte Christopher Foamete 180 pounds weight class 198 pounds; Pte Samuel Keeley 175 pounds weight class 178 pounds; Pte Shawn Murphy 190 pounds weight class 198 pounds.
Training will continue on the Base, with the grappling team honing their skills weekly at 2PPCLI or 1RCHA gym spaces until a spot opens up at the GSH.
For more information on joining the team e-mail shilobjj@gmail.com