Pictured from left to right: Aharen Piranavan, Piranavan Nantheeswarar, Japarini Piranavan, Adosaya Piranavan.
The Tamil Guardian speaks to 2024 Canadian Wrestling Championship national champions Adothaya and Aharen Piranavan, accompanied by their parents, about their passion for martial arts, healthy sibling rivalry and the way their immigrant parents provide a better life. He talked about the challenges he faced when trying to do so. their child.
Adosaya, 17, and Aharen Piranavan, 15, two Tamil-Canadian brothers from Pickering, Ont., both competed nationally in the Cadet U17 division at the 2024 Canadian Wrestling Championships, held March 14-17. He was crowned the winner.
When asked how he felt after winning the national wrestling title, Aaharen said he was very proud that his hard work and determination paid off. He added: “It's a great honor to not only represent Canada, but the Tamil community.” Adosaya said he was shocked by the result, and it wasn't until he got off the podium and reunited with his team that he realized he had just become a national wrestling champion.
Their parents, Mr. Piranavan Nantheeswarar and Ms. Japarini Piranavan, expressed great pride in their children's achievements. Piranavan said he was initially nervous considering this would be a big tournament. However, he had confidence in Aharen and Adsaya's abilities, knowing that they had shown an unwavering dedication and passion for wrestling. Japarini said he was very happy that the two competed and was proud that they won together as brothers and as Tamils.
Their victory was celebrated not only by their families but also by the wider Tamil community. Both brothers said they were surprised by the overwhelmingly positive response from the community. For Aharen, it was pretty cool to see different members of the community like Never Have I Ever star Mayetri Ramakrishnan congratulating them.
Aharen and Adsaya's martial arts journey began at an early age when their parents introduced them to Jiu-Jitsu at the ages of 4 and 7, respectively. Their father explained that the reason he enrolled his children in martial arts in the first place was to instill confidence in them and teach them self-defense skills.
But Piranavan said he never expected his children to quickly rise through the ranks and become some of the best young martial artists in the country. Before becoming national wrestling champions, Adsaya and Ahren achieved remarkable success in local and international competitions.
Ahren is a four-time state champion in jiu-jitsu, four-time North American grappling, three-time Pan American champion and three-time state champion in wrestling. He also made history by becoming the school's first Ontario Secondary Athletic Association (OFSAA) wrestling champion when he was in grade 9.
Adsaya is a three-time state champion in jiu-jitsu, a one-time North American Grappling Association champion, and a three-time state champion in wrestling. She is also her OFSAA silver medalist in the wrestling category.
Team effort and healthy sibling competition
The playful sibling rivalry strengthened their skills and helped them become better competitors. Adosaya said seeing his younger brother excel in martial arts inspired him to practice and work harder to become stronger. Their father explained that there was always competition in Adsaya and Ahren's relationship, and the two competed in everything from sports to schoolwork to finishing dinner.
When asked how they overcome nerves before a big tournament, the brothers said their coach played an important role in their mental preparation. They are both part of Team Impact Wrestling Club in Durham. Piranavan stressed that Team Impact coaches can provide comprehensive physical and mental training to ensure that players are fully prepared for any upcoming matches.
The brothers also rely on their coach for motivation during grueling training sessions. In addition to supporting his team to stay motivated, Ahren said he pushes himself by setting a goal to win a national title at the end of each season. Adosaya, on the other hand, finds motivation by thinking about how hard his opponents are training and is driven to work harder.
Preparing future generations for success as immigrant parents
Adsaya and Aaharen's parents recognized their skill and potential to succeed in martial arts once they started competing. However, supporting their success was not without obstacles. Piranavan spoke of the significant financial and time commitment that comes with training and competing. During the season, both brothers train approximately 20-25 hours a week.
In terms of financial commitments, Piranavan explains that children often have to come up with large sums of money right away to enroll them in various training programs and competitions. One such competition he said is the upcoming Pan American Championships in the Dominican Republic, which will cost him nearly $4,300 per child. This price includes the cost of training, licensing, accommodation, and flights. The family is planning a fundraiser to help cover some of the costs.
Even though funding Adsaya and Ahren's martial arts careers can sometimes bring stress, their parents stress that their main goal is to ensure success for future generations. There is. Piranavan Nantheeswarar immigrated to Canada in 1988, and Japarini Piranavan came to Canada from Sri Lanka in 2005. Their parents expressed that they never wanted Adsaya and Ahren to go through the same hardships they went through as immigrant parents.
What's next?
Martial arts training and competition experiences also shaped the brothers as individuals. Adosaya explained that wrestling can be a very humbling experience. It taught her discipline and her ability to think on her feet. Ahren said that from her wrestling background, most of her wins come during practice. He applies this principle that preparation is key to all other aspects of his life.
Apart from wrestling, Adosaya does Bharatanatyam. Mathematics is his favorite subject in school, and he is thinking of getting an engineering degree after high school. Ahren hopes to become a physical therapist or chiropractor and serve his community by helping athletes like himself become stronger and more confident.
When asked what his future goals are for his wrestling career, Ahren said he would like to compete in the Olympics and win a gold medal for Canada. Adosaya hopes to maintain her health and become a world wrestling champion. For her parents, their only wish is for both children to be happy and successful in whatever they do in life.
To support Adsaya and Aaharen, contact them here and here.
All images courtesy of Piranavan Nantheeswarar.
