The future of Olympic wrestling in Manitoba looks bright, thanks to two Israeli-Canadian students who dominated their divisions at the recent Manitoba Provincial Bantam Wrestling Championships. The event, sanctioned by the Manitoba Amateur Wrestling Association, took place at St. Paul’s High School, where Sivan Vilenski East (12) and Leo Ra’am (13) both stood atop the podium, earning gold medals in their respective divisions.
For Sivan, wrestling runs deep in her family. Her grandfather and father were both high-level competitors, with her father, Ron East, claiming the Canadian championship title in 1986. Now, Sivan is carrying on the family legacy, proving that the love for the sport spans generations. Inspired by Israeli-American wrestling sensation Amit Elor, who recently won gold at the Olympics, Sivan hopes to continue honing her skills and pushing herself to new heights in the sport.
Leo Ra’am, on the other hand, entered the wrestling world with a different motivation. A passionate fan of mixed martial arts (MMA), Leo embraced the challenge of learning wrestling as a way to test himself and develop his athletic abilities. Despite being a first-year wrestler, his natural talent and dedication helped him secure gold in the boys’ division, signaling a promising future in the sport.
The Manitoba Provincial Bantam Wrestling Championships serve as an important stepping stone for young athletes, and both Sivan and Leo showcased their immense potential in the competition. With their relentless work ethic and strong competitive spirit, they are already proving to be rising stars in the Olympic sport of wrestling.
As they continue their journey, Sivan and Leo are not just making their mark on the Manitoba amateur wrestling scene—they are carrying forward the rich Israeli and Canadian wrestling traditions, showing that the next generation is ready to take on the challenge.
It is always rewarding when young people undertake the commitment to a sport. Thank you Sivan for inspiring girls to consider wrestling as a sport.