LONDON, Ont. - Western Mustangs blue-chip wrestling recruits Steven Takahashi and Ilya Abelev have been busy on the global stage this year. 

Steven Takahashi was recently in Managua, Nicaragua, preparing for the Junior Pan-Am Championships. He has become the global citizen as of late, training as well in meets at Singapore, India and El Salvador.

Meanwhile Abelev, an Ottawa native and another high-level Mustangs wrestling recruit, went to India two years ago and will add some more international experience after a stint training in Russia, what coach Ray Takahashi describes as a top global program, next month.

“Ilya and Steven will make an immediate impact to our program,” Ray Takahashi said. “Ilya won a university tournament (McMaster Invitational) this past year and Steven defeated this year’s CIS champion at his weight in January.”

St. Thomas native Kevin Ens, an OFSAA champ at 82 kg., Beal’s Rishav Ranjit and Westminster’s Rafael Begazo and Elhame Gashi are also promising Mustangs names to watch.

Steven Takahashi and Abelev won their weight classes at the Pre-Junior Canada Cup. Ray Takahashi will serve as coach. 

Mustang Brianne Barry will wrestle at the junior worlds in Budapest starting July 20, while Western assistants Dave Spinney and Saeed Azarbayjani will attend in coaching roles.

In other news, some key international coaches have been gracing the mats of Alumni Hall. Click here to read more. 

Click here to read the London Free Press story by Ryan Pyette. Or read more about wrestling recruits for the upcoming season.