Justina Di Stasio is one of the stars of the Canadian team set to compete in Buenos Aires ©Getty Images

Commonwealth Games champions Justina Di Stasio and Nishan Randhawa lead a 23-strong athlete delegation put forward by Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) that is set to represent the country at the Pan-American Championships next month.

The event is scheduled to take place from May 3 to 6 in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires.

Canada's team features athletes from seven different provinces, as well as reigning and past national champions.

"Wrestling Canada Lutte is sending a strong team to the 2023 Pan-American Championships," said WCL high performance director Chris Woodcroft. 

"We have athletes who are world and Pan-American medalists, including three previous world champions.

"We also have a few newcomers who will be experiencing their first international senior competition.

"This event will provide valuable lessons in our lead up to the Senior World Championships, in September in Belgrade, Serbia, as the 2023 Senior World Championships are our first Olympic qualifier on our road to Paris 2024."

Nishan Randhawa is looking to finish on the Pan-American Championships podium again after winning gold last time out ©Getty Images
Nishan Randhawa is looking to finish on the Pan-American Championships podium again after winning gold last time out ©Getty Images

Di Stasio is a four-time gold medallist at the Championships, with consecutive titles from 2015 to 2017 and then another in 2020, as well as securing victory at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.

She then claimed a huge triumph at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games to emulate Randhawa's success.

He is a former Pan-American bronze medallist and is tipped to return to the podium in the upcoming Championships.

Commonwealth Games bronze medal-winning trio Darth Capellan, Jasmit Phulka, and Alex Moore are also representing Canada in Buenos Aires.

Woodcroft is leading the coaching and support staff and will be joined by trainers Dave McKay, Davie Collie, Dave Spinney, Owen Dawkins and Raj Virdi, while Jessica Pawlik will serve as athletic therapist.

Canada will also have five officials at the event in the form of Ed Zinger, Marcia Chiasson, Demetra Koutsopodiotis-Gathier, Curtis Leung and Gary Bird.

The Championships will see winners crowned in Greco-Roman, women's wrestling, freestyle, and beach wrestling disciplines.