From Surrey to the World Stage: Filipina Teen Wrestler Natalka Aims for Olympic Glory

From Surrey to the World Stage: Filipina Teen Wrestler Natalka Aims for Olympic Glory

At just 16 years old, Natalie Wojciechowski —affectionately known as Natalka—is already making waves in Canadian wrestling. A proud Filipino-Polish Canadian from Surrey, BC, and a student at Guildford Park Secondary School, she’s turning heads across the nation with a fierce spirit and an impressive string of victories. This month, she’ll proudly represent Team Canada at the U17 Pan American Championships in Brazil.

Natalka began wrestling at the age of 13, and in just a few short years, her list of accolades reads like that of a seasoned athlete. Her accomplishments include:

• 4x National Gold Medalist in Freestyle

• 4x National Gold Medalist in Greco-Roman

• Most Outstanding Female Wrestler in BC (2023)

• Canada Summer Games Team BC Member (2025)

• Canadian World Team Member

• International medalist in Estonia and the Netherlands

She trains under Coach Frank Mensah at Coastal Wrestling Club, where her dedication and discipline continue to fuel her rise in the sport. Her passion, hard work, and resilience have already taken her far—and she’s only just getting started.

Now aiming for the Olympics, Natalka is determined to represent Canada on the world’s biggest athletic stage. But getting there takes more than just talent. She is currently fundraising to help cover the costs of travel, training, and competition for her international events.

If you’d like to support Natalka on her journey, you can contribute through her GoFundMe page:
https://gofund.me/27918af3

For Natalka, wrestling is more than a sport—it’s a way to inspire. She hopes her story encourages other young Filipino-Canadians to pursue their dreams, whether in sports, school, or life.

Her message is clear:
Dream big. Work hard. Lift others as you climb.

Photos by Bill Bain