There are moments that change a life, that’s what three Canadian wrestlers understood this Sunday evening when they won the second edition of the Lutte Académie
Organized by Jacques Rougeau, the cross-Canada competition crowned Shaun Moore of Saskatchewan, Kat Von Heez of Alberta and Clutch Jesse V of Ontario.
They each won a $10,000 scholarship and a three-month stay at the Nightmare Factory wrestling academy in Georgia, co-owned by All-Elite Wrestling wrestler QT Marshall, who served as a judge at Lutte Académie.
“It confirms that I am here to help the wrestlers, develop the youth and pass the torch. “There will be a third edition of the Lutte Académie,” confirmed Rougeau.
Clutch Jesse V, Shaun Moore and Kat Von Heez each won $10,000 and an internship at a wrestling academy led by QT Marshall (right). They are accompanied by the initiator of the Lutte Académie, Jacques Rougeau, who is with his partner Nathalie. Photo agency QMI, Martin Alarie
Life has changed
As a former Olympic wrestler who even made the Canadian team and qualified for the Pan American Games, Shaun Moore is seeing a dream come true.
“It’s huge. I was born in London and then we moved to Regina. It’s an opportunity that means everything to me because I’ve wanted to be a wrestler since I was six months old.
“There was no Olympic wrestling in England when I was young, so I signed up as soon as I arrived here at 13.”
Moore, who isn’t very tall but packs a punch, has been wrestling for nine years and received a huge compliment from QT Marshall, who told him that he was the boss once he got in the ring in a match involving four wrestlers.
“It’s very flattering because I work a lot on that aspect. I want to lead the game and that’s my goal.”
Shaun Moore was initially an Olympic wrestler before turning to show wrestling. Photo agency QMI, Martin Alarie
Arrival of a comiccon
Kat Von Heez is based in Edmonton, where she lives with her husband Bobby Sharp, another wrestler who also competed.
When she was discovered at a comic con, she turned to wrestling.
“I did powerlifting, I competed in strongman competitions, but wrestling stuck with me.
“I love this sport because you can be an amplified version of yourself and it’s super fun because you get to do things you wouldn’t normally do in a social setting.”
This victory makes her realize that she has her place in a predominantly male world, which isn’t always easy.
“It is a form of validation to win this competition. Sometimes we’re told we don’t belong there or that we don’t have the right look, but this is concrete and shows we’re doing the right things.”
Kat Von Heez (left) sees this victory as a kind of confirmation of her work over the last twelve years. Photo agency QMI, Martin Alarie
Arrived late
Based in Toronto but originally from Ottawa, massive clutch Jesse V is unexpectedly friendly when you see this big hunk of muscle tormenting his opponents in the ring.
At the age of 35, he only started wrestling six years ago and it was an accident in life that brought him into the ring.
“I started wrestling after proposing to my wife in a wrestling ring. I finally decided to give it a try. I always thought I was too small because I watched Hulk Hogan and the Iron Giant as a kid.”
The big guy has experienced pretty rapid growth and even reached the Lutte Académie final last year without claiming victory.
“I progressed pretty quickly, especially knowing that’s what gave rise to COVID.”
Hours
Obviously, being a wrestler in Canada is mostly an enthusiast thing, as unfortunately you can’t really make a living from it.
Take the example of Clutch Jesse V, he is a father of two little girls and works like hell.
“I work 100 hours a week, I manage four restaurants and bars and the owners know I like to wrestle, so they are accommodating.”
The same goes for Kat Von Heez, who has two jobs in addition to singing in a music group.
At least they are now a little closer to realizing their dream of making a living from their sport and their art.