Nunavut wrestles first medals out of North American Indigenous Games

Team Nunavut’s talent on the wrestling mat continues to shine, with two athletes walking away with medals Wednesday at the North American Indigenous Games.

Nunavut’s opening ceremony flagbearer Eekeeluak Avalak, 19, of Cambridge Bay, won gold in the men’s 58kg final by defeating Manitoba’s Jerin Coles.

And Thayer Komakjuak, 17, of Arviat earned a silver medal in the men’s 74kg category, losing to Beau Chartrand of Manitoba in the gold-medal match.

“Right now, I’m speechless,” Avalak said after his winning bout, in an interview by phone from Nova Scotia where the games are being held.

“I can tell you that hard work pays off.”

Avalak is now a two-time gold medalist at a major sporting event, having won Nunavut’s first-ever gold medal at the 2022 Canada Summer Games last August.

Even with so much attention on him going into these games, Avalak stayed focused on his goal of winning another gold.

“It was like tunnel vision,” he said of his matches.

Avalak, who quickly became one of Cambridge Bay’s most celebrated residents after his impressive showing at the Canada Summer Games, said he could feel the support from his hometown and his supporters in the stands.

“They’re all happy for me. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my teammates and everyone behind my back,” he said.

Komakjuak said walking onto the mat for his final match was “nerve-wracking” at first, and he’s really proud of his accomplishments.

“Making it to the finals feels good,” he said.

Now that wrestling has wrapped up at the games, Komakjuak plans to cheer on his teammates.

Avalak said it “feels awesome” seeing one of his teammates win a medal alongside him.

“Seeing the progress of our team and seeing the hard work that they’ve put in and it’s paying off, I’m just really proud of them,” he said.

“I’m happy to be a part of their journey. It’s wonderful. I’m super happy for [Thayer]. He has heart, and I hope he continues to wrestle.”

As for Avalak, he plans to relax, explore Halifax and enjoy the rest of the games as a spectator this week, before preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympic trials in Edmonton, Alta. in December.

He’s hoping to get a spot on Canada’s wrestling roster.

“What was on my mind was I could have [done] a bit more work putting my hips and legs back, but we make mistakes and it’s always just back to the drawing board,” he said, reflecting on his matches at these games and what he hopes to improve on going into his next round of training.

His message to young people back in Nunavut is to “find your passion,” he said.

“Take risks. It’ll be terrifying, but like the quote says, without fear you can’t be brave.”

Other strong finishes for Nunavut’s wrestling team came from Morgan Kakuktinniq, of Rankin Inlet, who placed fourth in the men’s 115kg weight division, and Chasity St. John, of Arviat, who finished fifth in the women’s 70kg division.

Final results of all weight classes will be posted on the naig2023.com website.

On Thursday, several Team Nunavut badminton players will compete in the singles quarterfinal events: under-19 males Kenneth Takatak and Rodney Nakoolak, under-19 female Iris Sowdluapik and under-16 female Tina Kudlualik.

Nunavut will also compete in the doubles quarterfinal events. Schedule times for all badminton tournaments will be posted on the naig2023.com website.

In volleyball, the men’s team lost against British Columbia 2-0 on Wednesday, but has one more match against Manitoba on Thursday at 2:15 p.m. EDT.

Nunavut’s women’s team will compete in its final preliminary match at 9:15 a.m. EDT against Team Eastern Door and the North, which represents Quebec First Nations and Inuit.