There were 862 students from 209 schools who attended the 2024 OFSAA Wrestling Championships earlier this week. In Muna A’s 89 kg Male athlete bracket there were 32 boys, all looking to take the Gold medal. This is the largest double elimination bracket that he has ever competed in. The hopes were high as Muna received 2nd seed in his bracket making him an odds-on favourite to get to the finals. Here is how the first day of competition went.
The first round of Muna’s first match was a grueling battle for each point. As the clock wound down in the round, Muna went for his patented “blast double” and his opponent tumbled to the mat and countered with a throw…however, the clock had already run out before the move was initiated and there were no points awarded each way.
The second round saw Muna feeling a bit exhausted after his grueling first round. Muna was up 8-0 when his opponent took a desperation shot which Muna stuffed quickly. Muna then circled behind and secured his match with a tech fall 10-0 to advance in the tournament.
In Muna’s second match he faced Daniel Benvenga from Bishop Ryan, who Muna has defeated in the past. This time Daniel took a different approach to Muna. After the whistle, Muna and Daniel scrambled. Muna took his opponent and tried to pin him from the sprawl. Daniel countered and got behind Muna. With Muna on his stomach, Daniel strapped on a powerful and tight gut wrench. Muna didn’t have an answer for it. Muna tried to power through and catch his opponent as he was being turned several times. He finally was able to break the hold and both wrestlers were stood up. The score was 10-2 for Daniel. Some encouraging words were given to Muna from the corner reminding him that he was still in it. Muna nodded in agreement. The whistle blew and Muna went on the attack. He set up a double leg attack that sent both wrestlers towards the official’s table. At the last second Daniel shifted his weight and turned Muna on the way down. What looked like a 4-point double from Muna led to no points and a 1-point step out was awarded to Daniel. Daniel’s coach challenged this. After a referee review it was determined that Muna would lose his step out point and Daniel would be awarded 2 points for the exchange. This led to a 12-2 tech fall for Daniel resulting in a deviating loss for Muna.
Muna entered his third match armed with some advice from Coach Finamore, who had scouted his opponent in earlier matches. Facing an aggressive wrestler, Muna was able to shutdown all offense of his opponent. A rejuvenated Muna won his third match with a tech fall 10-0.
Muna would face Peter Strutzenberger from Beaver Brae. Muna used the track wrestling system to analyze his opponent viewing his opponent’s impressive 14-2 record. Many of Muna’s fellow wrestlers reassured him that it was still his game, and he should take it to his opponent. As the match progressed Muna kept scoring. He went back to the basics and stuck to his plan. Good stance, lots of head work, and get the simple points. This match went into the second round and Muna, who had just competed an hour before looked confident, but exhausted. He allowed his opponent only two points from a sprawl and go behind. Muna won this match with a 12-2 tech fall. After the match was over, he shook his opponent’s hand, then the opponent’s coach’s hand before collapsing in his corner to catch his breath at the end of the first day of competition.
The second day of competition Muna got off to a great start, shooting two fantastic double leg take downs. Muna then tried to turn Spencer to his back for a pin. During this exchange both wrestlers started to scramble with much vigor. They went back and forth with Spencer landing on top of Muna. Spencer was able to catch Muna in a pin ending Muna’s OFSAA tournament.
Although it was not the outcome we had hoped for, we are very proud of Muna for making it to the second day of OFSAA. This is no easy task. Muna spent the rest of the day watching matches with coaching staff and got to see the finals for his weight class. He understands what it takes to make it to the finals and was looking forward to attending practice the next night at the Brock Jr Badgers. He plans to work on some of the things he struggled with and has great hopes for his future in Wrestling. Muna also got to meet the Head Coach for the Brock Badgers University team and expressed interest in Post Secondary Wrestling. They exchanged information and he has been invited to come practice with the team throughout the summer.
