The Woman Behind Every Wrestler.
Hey Again!
Tarleen and Tarn here,
Behind every successful wrestler is a mother that believes in her child. Something all wrestling moms have in common is that they all want the best for their wrestler. They’re always in our corners and proud of us at the end of the day, regardless of whether the outcome is a win or a loss. Our moms prepare our meals when we’re cutting weight, drive us to every practice - near or far, braid our hair, record our matches, and are our biggest cheerleaders.
If it wasn’t for our mom’s love and support, we wouldn’t be the athletes that we are today. Her work ethic is unmatched and she has led by example our whole lives. Our practices can be a very long drive. Our mom selflessly devotes her time into driving us 70 minutes daily and watching our practices 7 days a week, while also being a mother of 5 and the team leader of accounts payable at her active job. Our mom is a really strong, caring, and generous individual. She is not only the most dedicated and supportive woman we know but a source of inspiration. Our wrestling wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the constant care she provides us. We love her and will forever be grateful to have her as a mother. We credit her unconditional love and support for our success in wrestling. Our mom is our number one fan. She has been there since day one. Although at times she may be over-protective, she’s always there to support and help us on good or bad days. She has devoted so many hours with us and our younger brother at practices. She always packs tasty and healthy snacks for wrestling camps, practices, tournaments, and a long car ride to tournaments. We are extremely grateful for her and all she does for us.
Danielle Lappage, a 2016 and 2020 (2021) Olympian, Senior National Champion, Senior World Silver Medalist, University World Champion, Junior World Champion, and Commonwealth Games Champion says that “My mom is my biggest supporter. She's always encouraged me to chase my dreams. To follow my heart and work hard. She was always driving me to practices when I started, comes to every tournament/match she can, and is always the first one to message me before and after each match. She’s the one who is the first to celebrate me on the good days and lift me up on the bad. She is always so proud of me regardless of my results in sport. Her powerful love is so consistent and unwavering in every moment of my life. Without her, I wouldn’t have accomplished what I have. I wouldn’t be who I am. I would not be free or courageous enough to continue to chase my dreams or keep getting back up when I get knocked down without my mom. She’s the best person I know.”
Jagtaj Basra, a wrestler at the Warriors Wrestling Academy said “My mom pushes me to be better, she constantly tells me to do more and put everything I have into the sport of wrestling. She is my backbone.”
Arely Torales, a wrestler at Xtreme Wrestling says, “My mom is always so supportive and she comes out to wrestling tournaments whenever she can. But, when she can’t she packs me a lunch for the day and gives me her blessing before I leave. Love having my mom around!”
Harshvir Dhillon, a wrestler at the Warriors Wrestling Academy said “A mom’s support is one of the reasons I am calm before a wrestling match.”
Dorothy Yeats, Canada’s retired 69 kg wrestler and 2012 senior world silver medalist, and junior world champion explains, “My mom, Kati, was an elite level gymnast in Hungary before moving to Canada. When my sister and I were young, she put us into gymnastic classes as soon as we were old enough because she knew how important physical literacy was. Not only for the physical gains but also for the characteristics you acquire, such as discipline, organization, perseverance, etc., when you train and compete as a gymnast. When I decided to change sports to wrestling, my mom did everything she could to help make my life easier so that I could focus on achieving my dreams as a wrestler as well as completing my education. This included waking me up at 6 a.m. and driving me to go swim laps at the pool before my high school classes, and making sure I never missed a practice. This continued on to drive me to my morning practices at 7 a.m. when I started CEGEP. If I had to lose weight before a competition (to make my weight class in wrestling), my mom would change the family meals to accommodate my dietary needs. In any place where she could, she helped me. She was always so selfless when it came to her kids, and I honestly don’t know if I could have reached my dream of competing at the Olympic Games for Canada if it wasn’t for her continual help and support. So grateful.”
