A broken arm and torn bicep suffered last year, didn’t stop Delta Police Const. Jessy Sahota from going to the mat and scooping up a gold and silver medal at the recent World Police and Fire Games.
Sahota won gold in the heavyweight (125 kg) Greco-Roman category in the international competition that took place in Winnipeg.
He also won silver in the heavyweight freestyle category.
Sahota was going to compete in the light heavyweight category, but was busy competing with the Surrey Superstars kabbadi team and didn’t have time to reduce weight in order to make the light-heavyweight competition.
Last year, Sahota claimed gold in the heavyweight category in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. He also won gold at the Games in 2019, in China.
He won six of seven matches in the competition in Winnipeg and entered the competition 24 kg underweight.
With the Police Games complete, Sahota is thinking of another competition, on a much larger stage. This December, in Calgary, the trials for the Canadian Olympic wrestling team take place and Sahota plans on being there.
Winning a spot on the team means he’ll be going to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
He’s following a simple strategy in order to prepare for the qualifications.
“I think, just maybe wrestle more, focus on recovery, and just try to get more mat time,” he said. “Got to try, give it a shot. Fingers crossed, I keep up the performance.”
He broke his right arm and tore his bicep during a freak accident while wrestling about 10 months ago and had surgery last September.
“I couldn’t use my arm for about six months,” he said. “They didn’t think I would be competing (until) at least a year later, or more.”
He expects it will still take another few months to get back to 100 per cent.
He also wanted to thank the Delta Police Foundation for its support.
Sahota works in the Delta Police’s youth section and helps run the North Delta Wrestling Club, in partnership with DPD, the school district and the Yo Bro Yo Girl Youth Initiative.
