Wrestling 8/9/2024 11:20:00 AM Jay Greyvenstein

Going Over: Dechlan Papadopoulos

Dechlan Papadopoulos is a busy man. The second-year TMU wrestler recently returned from a training camp in Spain after a tournament appearance in Colombia, and before he competes in Albania this fall at the world championships.

"Training camp was tough as hell," Papadopoulous said with a smile. "But it was a good learning experience."

This chapter, of traveling to wrestle, is just one part of a long path to where Papadopoulos finds himself today. It began at a young age. As a kid he watched WWE religiously, typically rooting for heels like Triple H (and nowadays Roman Reigns). WWE is often the gateway to the world of wrestling, but Papadopoulos' real love for the sport developed later on, and when he least expected it.

For many in the world of wrestling, introduction to the sport comes through family, and Papadopoulos' journey to the mat is no different. He began wrestling when he was young, after attending a practice session of his sister, coached by his dad's cousin.

"It was a family thing. I just did it because my family made me, really."

But wrestling is not necessarily the most inviting environment for a kid. Despite how linear his path may seem given its origin, that wasn't always the case. Papadopoulos mentions that around the age of 15 he was ready to give the sport up for good. He preferred team sports, he liked the camaraderie, and how they all walked in together. Wrestling was different, it's just you versus one other person, and whatever shortcomings you have are solely your own. After a couple years of weekly training sessions that he began to dread, he had made up his mind to drop the sport.

"At the beginning, I hated wrestling. I didn't want to go. Around grade 8 or grade 9 I was like 'I'm done, I quit'. But then in grade 9 I made Team Canada. I somehow won the trials and was like, 'Maybe I should stick with it'."

There was a shift in mindset following the trials, and his training regiment picked up. Papadopoulos realized that there was a real path forward for him in the sport, and this was where his singular focus on improving began. He kept training with his family, and soon more opportunities opened up. His gym had an affiliation with TMU, so joining the blue and gold was something always on his radar.

"When I was in high school, TMU had just started their program. My coach was friends with the other coach. From grade 9 they were saying, 'Oh you're gonna come here' as a joke. And then when grade 12 came I'm like, 'yeah, I'm just gonna go to TMU'. I love being at home."

Wrestling in Canadian collegiate athletics is an interesting dynamic. On one hand, you compete against other individuals in one-on-one weight-determined matchups. On the other hand, you're competing as part of a larger team, looking to earn the most points collectively. Admittedly, Papadopoulos says that when he first arrived on campus, his focus was individual.

"I really think I'm more of a leader this year. First year I was more like, 'I don't really care what the other guys are doing, I want to focus on myself.' After I had a successful first year I decided to take a bigger lead the next year."

The results paid off this past season. Papadopoulos improved on a 3rd place finish in 2023 (at both the OUA finals and nationals) to capture the OUA silver medal in just his second year of university competition. The medal gave him a berth at nationals, which took place in March this year.

At the national tournament in Guelph, the Bold would finish 11th as a team, despite sending just two athletes to the tournament. For his part, Papadopoulos swept through wrestlers in the 65 kg weight class from the University of Calgary, University of Alberta, and Concordia University to advance to the national final. In a rematch of the OUA gold medal contest, Papadopoulos fell just short of an impressive comeback. Despite the second place finish, it was still an impressive result for Papadopoulos, who oftentimes finds himself up against older competition in his first two years at the U SPORTS level.

The national tournament is just an example of the lessons learned by Papadopoulos on the mat. There are so many factors outside a wrestler's control when they enter competition. He can't control who his opponents are, or how many teammates he has at a tournament. He says that focusing on what he can control has been the key takeaway in his success to this point.

"A lot of people do other things but as long as I'm doing what matters to me at 100%, that's all that matters."

Papadopoulos has his sights set on competing for Canada at the 2028 Olympics, and plans on extending his time at TMU to help line things up better. Currently in the Geographic Analysis program, a fifth year would give Papadopoulos what he considers a perfect send off to the sport: a chance to compete in the Olympic trials. If he wins, he goes to the Olympics; if he loses, he gets to start the next chapter. Regardless of how his wrestling career ends, it's hard to argue that Papadopoulos hasn't squeezed every drop out of the sport. He's got to travel the world, get an education, and represent his country internationally.

Beyond that, Papadopoulos has learned that his story, in wrestling and outside of it, is about the heights someone can reach when they realize their potential, and have the self-discipline and drive to develop it.

Papadopoulos will suit up for Canada at the U-23 world championships in Tirana, Albania from October 21-27 this fall, looking to bring home gold in the 61 kg weight class.

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Players Mentioned

Dechlan Papadopoulos: 2

Players Mentioned

Dechlan Papadopoulos
: 2