Members of Team Canada pose at the Veterans World Wrestling Championships in Tatabánya, Hungary, held Oct. 7–12. Among them was Meadow Lake’s Christopher Brownrigg, far left, who reached the bronze-medal round in the 130-kilogram division of the veterans-E category. (submitted/Christopher Brownrigg)

By Ryan Lambert

Saskatchewan Wrestling

Meadow Lake wrestler reaches bronze medal round at UWW Veterans World Championships

Oct 16, 2025 | 5:00 PM

United World Wrestling (UWW) held the Veterans World Wrestling Championships in Tatabanya, Hungary from Oct. 7-12. The term veteran doesn’t stem from military service, but age as it’s for wrestlers 35 and older.

Five Canadians competed in the event, including Meadow Lake’s Christopher Brownrigg who reached the bronze medal round in the 130kg weight class of the veterans-E division. Brownrigg fell in that round 5-4 to Hungary’s Pal Tibor Turak.

“It was a huge moment for my Hungarian friend and though I fought hard to win for Canada, seeing the joy in the Hungarian crowd took a bit of the sting away,” said Brownrigg on the loss.

For Brownrigg, it’s a big achievement just getting back onto the wrestling mat, never mind making it to the world stage. The Meadow Lake native made his way back to wrestling in 2022 after being forced to step away from the sport in 1983 after a drunk driver hit him from behind, leaving him with a severe back injury.

He has had to change his wrestling style as the injury still has impacts on his daily life but has been able to adapt and make his return to the mat over the last few years.

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Brownrigg wasn’t the only Canadian who reached the bronze medal round. Four out of the five Canadians who competed reached the bronze stage. Winnipeg’s Derek Brignell won the bronze medal in the 78 kg weight class of the veterans-D division, defeating Turkey’s Bilal Bilgin in the bronze medal match.

Clint Kingsbury from New Brunswick also took home the bronze medal in the veterans-C 62 kg division, while University of Alberta wrestling coach Owen Dawkins beat Kennedy Gilbertson 10-0 to win the bronze in the veterans-D 88 kg division.

Canada finished in 7th in the veterans-D division. While Brownrigg didn’t take home a medal, it was special for him to compete for his country.

“It was an honor to be a National Team member and to represent Canada on the world stage. I only wish my mom who passed in December has still been with us to see that,” he said.

Brownrigg runs the Northern Pikes Wrestling Club in Meadow Lake. The season begins soon with athletes from grade 5 and up, as the club encourages to sign up for wrestling and BJJ classes. Northern Pike will be helping host the wrestling portion of the Saskatchewan Winter Games in Feb. 2026. Wrestlers aged 13-16 can try out for the Rivers West team for an opportunity to wrestle in front of a home crowd at Carpenter high school.

The Meadow Lake wrestler has an ongoing fundraiser to help cover the $6000 of travelling costs for the tournament, which has already raised $1000. Those who want to donate can e-transfer their donation to moneytre@telus.net.

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com