WRESTLING CANADA ANNOUNCES HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS:

DON THOMPSON OF SASKATCHEWAN

The Canadian Amateur Wrestling Association today announced that three new members have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place at the 2004 Canadian Senior National Championships being held this weekend in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Kjeld Brodsgaard of Victoria, BC was inducted into the Builder's Category for his contributions as an official for thirty years at the provincial, national and international level. He refereed at twenty World Championships and World Cups and the 1996 and 2000 Olympic games. Earlier this year Mr. Brodsgaard was recognized by the Sports Officials of Canada as the recipient of the 2003 Fox 40 Kitch MacPherson Award of Excellence. He retired from officiating in 2002.

Montreal's Louis Kupsik joined the Hall of Fame in the Builder's Category based on his contributions as a national team coach from the mid 1970's through to the early 1990's. His Montreal wrestlers won the National Championship team event on four occasions and he coached four national wrestlers to international medals. Among these were four Pan American Games gold medalists and a bronze medal performance at the 1974 World Championship by Gord Bertie. He retired from national team coaching in 1992.

Don Thompson, a native of Regina, SK has earned his position in the Hall of Fame as a Builder based on his many years of service to the sport at the national level. Mr. Thompson began his service to the Canadian Amateur Wrestling Association in 1989 and served on the Executive Committee of the association for thirteen years. He was President of the association from 1995 to 1999 during which he oversaw the development of a coaching endowment program with partner training centres at thirteen CIS institutions.

The Canadian Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame was formed in 1975 to recognize the efforts and past accomplishments of wrestlers who represented Canada at international events and builders who contributed to the growth and development of the sport of wrestling in Canada. To date, 34 wrestlers have entered the Hall of Fame and 31 builders.