When Saskatchewan’s team walks in to the opening ceremonies for the 2022 Canada Summer Games an athlete from northern Saskatchewan will be leading them in.

Tuesday in Regina it was announced that Angel Besskkaystare, a wrestler original from Wollaston Lake will be Saskatchewan’s flag bearer. Besskkaystare told MBC Radio News when she was first told by her coach about being chosen as the flag bearer the news caught her by surprise.

“I didn’t believe her at first,” said Besskkaystare.

The 18 year old, who attended École St. Mary High School in Prince Albert has been competing in wrestling for four years and has enjoyed quite a bit of success. Besskkaystare’s accomplishments include a provincial championship and a gold medal in Greco-Roman style wrestling at the 2022 Canadian Wrestling. Before she started wrestling in high school Besskkaystare didn’t think she would ever compete in the sport. She added she had previously tried other sports before coming to wrestling.

“I tried a lot of sports and I just didn’t like any of them,” she said.

Heading into the Canada Games Besskkaystare said she is feeling good about her chances when it comes to making it to the podium. She added keeping her composure will be key to her having success at the games.

“I feel confident that I can win a medal, I think I just have to be more focused in my matches,” she said.

Besskkaystare said she hopes her story can be an inspiration to other people, especially kids in living in north. She explained when the chance first came for her to come down to Prince Albert she didn’t want to because she was scared to leave home.

“I want the younger kids in Wollaston and the northern communities, to (know) that there’s more opportunities out here, you just got to take that chance,” she said.

The 2022 Canada Summer Games will be running from August 6-21 in the Niagara Region in Ontario.

(Photo Courtesy of GoTeamSask/Instagram)