York University Lions wrestler Shady El-Nahas won the bronze medal in the 97kg weight class at the Guelph Open on Saturday.
 
With the result, the rookie from Toronto became York's first medallist at the international competition that featured top-level competitors from Canada and the United States, including multiple that have competed at the Olympics.
 
El-Nahas faced Montreal's Hamed Rowshani in the first round and was defeated 11-1 to move into the consolation side of the draw. However, once there he dominated his opponents, winning four straight matches all by pin to capture the bronze medal. His victory in the bronze-medal match came over Western's Kyle Bonk, and he also defeated Ignatius Pitt from the Brock Badgers, as well as Jaivir Boal and Jobe Reinhart from the Guelph Gryphons.
 
El-Nahas remains undefeated against OUA and U SPORTS competition this season and is 19-1 overall, including 16 pins.
 
Also competing at the event was Mohab El-Nahas, Shady's older brother, who just missed out on a top-six showing in the men's 90kg weight class.
 
The Lions will next head to London, Ont., for the Western Open next Saturday, with the Ontario provincial junior championships and the OUA championships looming in February.