Q&A with Y Wrestler Alex Moore

Step into the captivating world of wrestling as we sit down with a true champion, Alex Moore. Discover the passion, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence that defines his remarkable journey. From early beginnings to future aspirations, get ready to be inspired by this wrestler’s unwavering commitment to the sport he loves.

How did you get started in wrestling? Can you tell us about your journey to becoming the wrestler that you are today?

My journey in wrestling began through my father, who is one of the coaches at the Sylvan Adams YM-YWHA. He brought me to practices when I was just a baby. Wrestling has been an integral part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I  am grateful for the opportunity to have been introduced to this sport at a young age and to have had the guidance and support of my father as well as my other coaches who have become like family to me throughout my athletic journey.

What do you enjoy most about wrestling?

What I find most enjoyable about wrestling is its competitive nature. As an individual sport, I am solely responsible for my performance, and there is no one else to rely on or blame. I thrive on the pressure and the challenge of competing against skilled opponents, pushing myself to be the best that I can be. I love the constant self-development that wrestling offers. There is always something to work on and improve, and the desire to grow and excel is a never-ending journey that I find to be truly addictive. Wrestling constantly presents me with new challenges and opportunities to innovate, which keeps the sport incredibly interesting and engaging for me.

You were named Male Outstanding Wrestler of the USports championships. What was the first thought that came to your mind when you received the title? For the non-wrestling people, what does that mean?

I feel deeply honored and grateful to have been named the Male Outstanding Wrestler of the USports championships. As someone who strives for finesse and skill, it is immensely rewarding to receive recognition for my hard work and dedication. Winning this award was a goal that I had set for myself before the competition, and I was thrilled to have achieved it.

Being named Male Outstanding Wrestler means that among all the weight classes in the male category, I was deemed to be the most outstanding wrestler. Essentially, it’s like an MVP award for the tournament.

 How do you feel about your recent performance and achievements? What are some of the highlights?

While I am pleased with my recent performance and achievements, they were not my ultimate goals. Instead, they were part of my preparation for the upcoming World Championships in September. These recent competitions served as opportunities to fine-tune my skills, strategies, and mental preparation. So, while I am satisfied with the progress I have made, I remain fully focused on achieving my goals for the upcoming international season.

Some of the highlights from the recent competitions for me were watching my teammates achieve their goals and experience success. It was truly rewarding to see them win and accomplish what they had set out to do, especially after all the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice they had put in.

How do you prepare for tournaments, both mentally and physically?

Preparing for tournaments both mentally and physically is a complex and ongoing process that requires years of hard work and dedication. Our coaches play a crucial role in guiding us through this process. They provide us with individualized strength and conditioning programs, as well as sports psychology techniques to help prepare us for our competitions. Our coaches deserve all the credit for our preparation. They are world-class experts who challenge us to push beyond our limits and provide us with the guidance and support we need to succeed.

For me, preparing for tournaments starts with the foundation of years and years of practice, training, and competing. Our coaches also emphasize the importance of building mental strength and toughness through challenging situations that they put us through each day, which helps us in the stressful competition’s environment. Our mental and physical preparation is a daily practice, from long training sessions multiple times a day to proper nutrition and recovery at home. Ultimately, it’s about putting in the effort and being committed to the process.

How do you stay motivated when facing setbacks or losses in competitions?

Maintaining motivation in the face of setbacks or losses during competitions can be an immense challenge. However, it’s all about staying focused on the process and daily progress rather than solely fixating on the result. This involves shifting away from a result-oriented mindset to a process-oriented mindset and breaking down long-term goals into shorter, more achievable milestones. By doing this, it becomes easier to cope with setbacks such as losing a competition or having to undergo surgery due to a season-ending injury.

What do you attribute your success to? What sets you apart from other wrestlers?

Starting from the top-down, I attribute my success to my coaches and the training environment they provide. From a young age, I have been held to a high standard and surrounded by world-class athletes and coaches. Our club is incredibly fortunate to have coaches such as Victor Zilberman, David Zilberman, Rob Moore, Martine Dugrenier, Gia Sissaouri, Mark Roache, and Jason Chen who have dedicated their lives to the sport. Not only do they possess unmatched credentials in Canada, but they also volunteer their time because of their love for the sport.

What sets me apart from other wrestlers in my opinion is my mindset towards the sport. I am constantly seeking out different ways to approach various positions, including different angles, set-ups, and variations. While many people may credit natural ability or athleticism for success, I was never the most athletic and was a late bloomer. Looking back, it took me at least a year to develop each of my major techniques. I had to look beyond what I had in the wrestling room to learn from some of the best international wrestlers in the world. The internet played a significant role in my learning. I am grateful for the incredible amount of resources available that allow me to watch and learn from the best wrestlers of my generation and those who came before me.

What is the most challenging aspect of competing?

I think some of the most difficult aspects of the sport include the physical and mental demands of the sport.The mental toughness is crucial as matches can be intense, physically and emotionally draining. Developing skills, various techniques and strategies while executing them under the pressure of competition is also very difficult, not to mention dealing with injuries at the same time.

What advice would you give to aspiring wrestlers who want to achieve your level of success?

If you’re an aspiring wrestler looking to achieve success, my advice to you is to always dream big, work hard, and surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share your goals and want to see you succeed.

How has your wrestling career impacted other areas of your life?

Wrestling’s profound impact on my life is immeasurable. It has been a masterful teacher of life lessons and skills while shaping my character into who I am today.

What are your future goals and plans for your wrestling career?

My future goals involve medalling at the upcoming World Championships in Serbia & then ultimately qualifying for the Olympic Games in Paris.

We wish our exceptional wrestler the best of luck in his future endeavors, confident that his passion and talent will lead him to even greater achievements in the world of wrestling!

Photo Credit: Bill Bain / MPH Central / Brad Hamilton