Christine Nordhagen

Event: Wrestling
Date of Birth: June 26, 1971
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 160 lbs
Hometown: Valhalla Centre, Alta.
Residence: Calgary

Athletic Highlights:

• 2004 Olympic Summer Games: fifth in women’s freestyle wrestling
• Six-time World Champion
• Two-time Pan American Champion
• 10-time National Champion
• Five-time Canadian Athlete-of-the-year

Background:

Known and respected as the most successful women’s wrestler in the world, and pioneer in the sport, Christine has a history rich in podium finishes. The 2004 Olympian, who is a six-time gold medallist at the World Championships and 10-time national title holder, is gearing up to re-claim gold at the 2005 World Championships.

Christine grew up on her family’s farm in a tiny Norwegian community called Valhalla Centre, Alberta located 50 kilometres north of Grande Prairie. She discovered wrestling when she was 20 years old, while studying education at the University of Alberta. The 1992 Canadian Championships would, for the first time, include a women’s category, and the drive was on to recruit participants.

“Sport For Life’s message is something that I strongly believe in, and I think that approaching kids at a young age can help influence change. As a teacher, it broke my heart to see high school kids smoking. Once they’re addicted, it is harder to make an impact. The chance to make a difference is even greater when you can reach children before they start smoking.”