Grappling with hunger

An unlikely tag team is putting a headlock on hunger this weekend in Port Coquitlam.

The athletes of Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling along with Share Family and Community Services have come together for Wrestling With Hunger, an event designed to help re-stock food bank shelves. The group also hopes to set a world record for the longest wrestling event ever.

Starting yesterday and lasting until 2 p.m. on Sunday April 5 there will be non-stop wrestling at the Hyde Creek Recreation Centre. Twenty wrestlers will grapple around the clock and admission is by cash or non-perishable food donation.

The audience will witness over 500 matches in total, with wrestlers rotating in and out at the conclusion of each bout.

Wrestler Volt Vegas has promised to shave his head bald if 2,000 lbs. of food is donated.

“I put my hair on the line for Wrestling With Hunger because I want to help the community out for all the damage I’ve done,” joked Vegas. “As soon as I heard about the event I agreed to take part right away.”

Vegas’ rival, Jamie Diaz, offered his assessment of his enemy’s potential new look: “I think he’s going to look like a big dick. If we don’t get 2,000 lbs. of food, I will personally buy 1,000 lbs. of food myself!”

Wrestler MR2 agrees with Diaz: “I think he could get even uglier, if that’s possible,” he said. “He’s bad enough the way he looks right now!”

Share director of development Heather Scott was impressed by the drive of ECCW.

“I’m new to Share and this is something that Dave Teixeira (ECCW owner) has been working on for months,” Scott said. “I’m totally excited, this is a great concept and I’m thrilled that ECCW chose us to support.”

The economic recession has hurt food banks everywhere and Scott appreciates the commitment that ECCW has shown to the cause.

“Hunger touches everybody and food banks are struggling all over the Lower Mainland,” Scott said. “The more people that hear this message, the better and this event will expose us to a whole new audience. ECCW, in their own unique way are helping us spread this message.”

For more information, check out www.wrestlingwithhunger.com.

Ben Lypka - The Langara Voice