Hunter Lee has added another medal to his collection.
The Flin Flon wrestler has won his first medal at a major international junior meet, taking silver at the United World Wrestling (UWW) Junior Pan-American Championships in Brazil on Aug. 19.
Lee earned three victories in his run to the podium, defeating Brazilian entrant Fabio Conceicao Rodrigues, Pedro Garay Lopez from Mexico and Miguel Faundez Zapata from Chile without conceding a single point.
However, Lee did not get the result he may have hoped for against American wrestler Cameron Caffey in a hard-fought match. After getting out to an early lead, landing a spectacular slam and tying the match, Lee was unable to match Caffey late. Caffey ended up defeating Lee 22 points to 12. Caffey, a member of the Michigan State Spartans wrestling team, would take the gold medal.
The medal is Lee’s second Pan-Am-level honour. In 2016, Lee earned a bronze medal in the Cadet Pan-American Championships in Peru. Lee, who wrestles with the Univ. of Saskatchewan Huskies wrestling team, will head to Slovakia for the UWW World Championships next month.
After the final match, Lee dug out his customary Flin Flon flag and showed it off on the mat.
Both Lee and his brother Carson both bring blue and yellow Flin Flon flags to international competitions, covered with signatures and messages of encouragement from Flin Flonners who have supported them.
