World and Pan American gold medallist Justina di Stasio is hoping to add Commonwealth gold in Birmingham ©Getty Images

World and Pan American gold medallist Justina Di Stasio is set to make her Commonwealth Games debut in the 76 kilograms wrestling after she was named as one of twelve Canadian wrestlers for Birmingham 2022.

"It means a lot to me to be back with the national team, after the past two years, and I am so excited to be part of the Commonwealth Games team," Di Stasio said. 

"Besides the Olympics, this was the only other big event I haven’t been to and something I was hoping to be able to participate in before I finish my wrestling career.

"My goal for the competition is to compete hard and execute the game plan that my coaches have for me.

"I am just so excited to be back in this spot and for how much fun this summer is about to be now that I have the Commonwealth Games and World Championships to prepare for." 

She is joined in the team of twelve by 2019 world champion Linda Morais.

Morais was a silver medallist at the 2021 Pan American Championships and competes in the 68kg class.

Under-23 world champion Ana Godinez Gonzalez added a Pan American Championship gold in 2022 and is set to start in the 62kg competition.

Tokyo 2020 Olympian Amar Dhesi is set to compete in the super-heavyweight 125kg category in the men’s freestyle competition.

He also goes to Birmingham as Pan American champion and is expected to be joined by 2021 Junior Pan American champion Lachlan McNeill who is set to compete at 65kg.

The selections were based on results at the Canadian trials in Edmonton at the end of last month.

"The last two years have been challenging for our sport due to the pandemic, but after seeing this team, a great mix of international veterans and some of the country’s future stars in the sport, compete at the trials, we know they are ready for these Games and will bring home some great performances," Wrestling Canada Lutte's executive director Tamara Medwidsky said.

Team Canada executive director Scott Stevenson added: "Wrestling Canada is to be commended for using the Commonwealth Games as a great developmental opportunity for their top athletes.

"With consistent top results having come from the wrestling teams of the past, we are excited and eager to see if this new crop of athletes can meet and even surpass Wrestling Canada’s impressive results for this Commonwealth Games."

The Birmingham 2022 wrestling programme is scheduled to begin at the Coventry Stadium and Indoor Arena on August 5.