This 17-year-old northern Ontario wrestler looks forward to performing for her home community
Amy Shawbonquit’s wrestling persona, AJ Jones, is named in honour of her uncle
When Amy Shawbonquit had her first wrestling match in her home community of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, the crowd was so loud she couldn't hear her entrance music.
"It was just that loud and there wasn't even that many people," she said.
On Tuesday the 17-year-old wrestler is entering the ring for the second time in her northern Ontario First Nation for Debendaagziwaad Days, an annual event that celebrates the community, including the achievements of band members.
Shawbonquit said she followed wrestling locally, and met her coach at an event in the community.
"My coach [was] looking for women wrestlers, and I said, 'Sure, why not?'" she said.
In the ring, Shawbonquit goes by the name AJ Jones, to honour one of her uncles, who was a big wrestling fan. Jones was his nickname.
Asked to describe her wrestling persona, Shawbonquit said: "She always wants everyone on her side obviously, and that's not going to be very hard to do, especially since it's on my reserve."
Like many wrestlers, she said her long-term goal is to become a star with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
But if that doesn't work out, Shawbonquit said she has career aspirations in health care, and would like to become a kinesiologist or veterinarian.
With files from Morning North