Athlete | Wrestling
Abbotsford Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2008
Cory Kwak was born and raised in Abbotsford, coming from a large, athletic family and acquiring his wrestling skills both naturally and out of necessity.
Kwak started his wrestling career at Abbotsford Junior Secondary and W.J. Mouat Secondary. After graduating from high school Cory continued to develop his wrestling skills at Douglas College and Simon Fraser University. He was a key member of the Burnaby Mountain Wrestling Club at Simon Fraser University which won seven consecutive national titles from 1990 to 1996.
During that same period of time, Kwak was a member of the Canadian national wrestling team. Twice he was the national junior champion (under 20) and he was a five-time Canadian Open silver medalist. He has many championship titles to his credit including the 1993 and 1994 Clansmen International, the 1993 Commonwealth Games, the 1994 Francophone Games and the 1995 Canada Cup International.
Kwak’s wrestling career highlights also include the 1990 Pan American Games bronze medal, the 1987 Canada Winter Games bronze medal, and the 1992 National Open bronze medal.
Kwak has been a tremendous team leader with a passion for his sport and continues his athletic involvement as a coach and volunteer for soccer, hockey and wrestling. He and his wife are raising their family in Abbotsford where he is a career firefighter.