A remarkable journey that began last spring has concluded with Calista Espinosa being among the top eight in the world.
The Richmond wrestler wrapped up her competitive season by finishing seventh in her weight class at the recent Cadet World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The Grade 11 St. Patrick’s High School student opened the 40 KG competition with a stunning win over her Belarus opponent in just 38 seconds. Espinosa then moved onto the quarter-finals where she lost to the eventual silver medalist from India. She still had a shot at reaching the podium but dropped a repechage match to her Moldova opponent. Still, she was the first Canadian to win a match at the Worlds and one of only two female national team members to taste victory.
It was last April when Espinosa earned a spot on the Canadian team in just her third year of competitive wrestling after taking up the sport at her high school. She won her weight class in Calgary, then duplicated the feat a day later at National Team Trials.
She would later represent Canada at the Pan American Cadet Championships in Lima, Peru where a bronze medal finish secured her invitation to the Worlds.
The trips came with hefty price tags. Espinosa was able to find generous sponsors to attend Pan Ams, but the journey to Georgia was at her own family’s expense. It means there will be some consideration about attending more international competitions in 2017 if she once again earns national team status.
Her achievements and potential also has her nominated to train with the Canadian Sports Institute — home to B.C. based Olympic team athletes.
In the meantime, Espinosa is focused on her studies and the high school wresting season with St. Pat’s. She typically trains with Burnaby-based Coast Wrestling.
