Season two of Canada’s Ultimate Challenge has just kicked off, with better challenges, unpredictable twists and of course, more drama.
The CBC show is hosted by media mogul Brandon Gonez and follows 20 players facing off in a massive obstacle course spanning Canada’s wilderness locations. With the country as its playground, the players are divided into five teams of four and are set to embark in a series of challenges that will explore and push one’s greatest boundaries.
This season, the winning team will receive a grand prize of a trip to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games to cheer on Team Canada.
To celebrate season two, we’ve compiled a bio of all 20 players participating this season to help you learn more about each of them. For a complete breakdown of each player, visit CBC’s list here.
TEAM BLUE
Angel Anderson (she/her)
Angel Anderson is 42 years old and is a scaffolder and former competitive boxer from Winnipeg, Manitoba. She won the National Silver Medallist title back in 2012 and since then, is a recovering addict who has worked on improving her physical strength by working in scaffolding, and competing in CrossFit.
Daniel Ginnane (he/him)
Growing up in Vancouver, British Columbia, 27-year-old Daniel Ginnane had a difficult upbringing where he practically raised himself. As a result, he turned to MMA and Muay Thai as a hobby that quickly became a passion. He says his best skills to use in the competition would be agility and speed, both traits he learned from being a martial artist, stunt actor and former pro-fighter.
Harvin Sangha (he/him)
As a Sikh-Canadian from Brampton, Ontario, 27-year-old Harvin Sangha is excited to represent the South Asian community and the sport of Kabaddi as a professional player. In addition, he is also a correctional officer and enjoys the chance to represent the law enforcement community as well. He says adaptability is his superpower because he can take on any role whether that is a leader or a team player.
Whitney Beers (she/her)
Hailing from Saint John, New Brunswick, 29-year-old Whitney Beers is a personal trainer, nutritionist and entrepreneur. In addition to being a fitness junkie, she is also a mother of three. At 20 years old, she lost her daughter and this inspired her to live her life boldly. By competing in Canada’s Ultimate Challenge, she hopes to prove to her kids that their mom is a badass who can handle any obstacle.
TEAM GREEN
Darko Boskovic (he/him)
Fitness model and coach Darko Boskovic is 38 years old and is from Calgary, Alberta. Throughout his life, he overcame numerous struggles, such as escaping Bosnia during a war, living in poverty, beating testicular cancer and the death of his mother. His goal is to win Canada’s Ultimate Challenge to pay tribute to her and become the best version of himself.
Ninko Pangilinan (he/him)
At 22 years old, Ninko Pangilinan started a gym business despite being in financial debt. At the time, he was also diagnosed with third stage non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer and had to start treatments. Now, at 36 years old, he’s a writer, blogger and personal trainer and has decided to compete in Canada’s Ultimate Challenge to fulfill his dream of being on television and inspire other Filipinos.
Sandra Wendland (she/her)
Toronto native Sandra Wendland, is a 41-year-old real estate agent and fitness trainer. After recently becoming a single mother of two, she’s now on a mission to show Canada’s Ultimate Challenge everything she’s got. She says her greatest strength is that she’s quick, agile and easy to work with. She is ready to reclaim herself as Sandra 2.0.
Shasily Matowe (she/her)
Straight from Edmonton, Alberta, Shasily Matowe is a 31-year-old fitness trainer and dancer. After losing her mother to cancer in 2017, she rediscovered her love for fitness and dance. Her mother ultimately inspired her to join the show and showcase her talents. She says her unique skills include her positivity, critical thinking, open-mindedness, free spirit and big heart.
TEAM ORANGE
Dominic Kehoe (he/him)
For over 25 years, 43-year-old Dominic Kehoe has been providing for his family of five as a pipeliner in Valleyview, Alberta. Following years of hard work at the pipelines, Kehoe wants to conquer a new challenge and try his luck in Canada’s Ultimate Challenge. He says he learned a lot about perseverance and strength from becoming a father as a late teen.
Jacqueline Le (she/her)
She’s only five feet tall, but don’t let that fool you, 31-year-old Jacqueline Le is a wellness coach who’s mighty and is full of energy. Le is from Vancouver, British Columbia and says her strongest power is her mind and resilience. She became more in tune with herself when she realized she was living with undiagnosed ADHD and autism. Now, she wants to show people what she’s capable of and inspire others like her.
Jenny Laviolette (she/her)
As the fourth youngest in a Lebanese family of five, Jenny Laviolette says she is a fighter who wants to make herself proud by winning Canada’s Ultimate Challenge. She is a 29-year-old communications advisor and cheerleading coach from Ottawa, Ontario, who believes her best skill is her leadership. She hopes to find herself and get out of her comfort zone in this competition.
Sandrick Cadet (he/him)
Sandrick Cadet is a 30-year-old fitness trainer, model and construction worker who is skilled in many traits. He grew up in Laval, Quebec where he played hockey and often faced racism as the only Black player on the team. He says competing in Canada’s Ultimate Challenge is his biggest challenge in life yet and is excited to unlock a new version of himself.
TEAM RED
Adam Pike (he/him)
Adam Pike is no stranger to travelling across Canada, the 31-year-old digital creator and former Big Brother Canada houseguest said he worked in trades all over the country. He is currently settled in St. John’s, Newfoundland and decided to go on Canada’s Ultimate Challenge for more life experiences. Though he looks big and tough on the outside, Pike says he’s actually a softy.
Ayoleka “Leka” Sodade (she/her)
Ayoleka Sodade has always been an athlete with dreams of playing basketball. Following a violent incident in Nigeria, she and her family moved to Canada where she excelled in high school basketball, became the captain of her college basketball team, won three basketball championships and went on to attend the NCAA Tournament. Today, she is a 25-year-old
sales executive from Windsor, Ontario, and wants to win it all in Canada’s Ultimate Challenge.
Brandon Rodwell (he/him)
Brandon Rodwell has encountered many adversities in life from living in group homes as a teenager to surviving a horrific motorcycle crash. Despite his struggles, the 35-year-old went on to become a dad, construction worker and amateur motocross rider from Woodstock, Ontario. He wants to accomplish and see great things with Canada’s Ultimate Challenge.
Courtney Copoc-Hopkins (she/her)
Her name is Courtney Copoc-Hopkins but her nickname is “the powerhouse.” She’s a 32-year-old Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Education Counsellor and former competitive gymnast from Vancouver, British Columbia. She joined Canada’s Ultimate Challenge to inspire other Indigenous peoples to dream big.
TEAM YELLOW
Chassidy Sule (she/her)
Chassidy Sule is 23 years old and is from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. She’s an office administrator and competitive bodybuilder who is strong, patient and determined. Last year, she competed in her first bodybuilding competition and finished in second place. Sule can confidently deadlift 300 pounds.
Paul Kobilke (he/him)
Coming from Vancouver, BC, Paul Kobilke is a 29-year-old transit worker who’s been eager for an obstacle course like Canada’s Ultimate Challenge. He grew up in a religious community where he was forced to drop out of university and leave his home when he was outed as a gay man. Afterwards, he was diagnosed with cancer and lost a few loved ones. He is grateful to be alive today and to be part of the competition.
Quinton Maclean (he/him)
Quinton Maclean is a 29-year-old Twitch streamer from Oakville, Ontario who sees Canada’s Ultimate Challenge as one giant interactive video game. As a teenager, he battled an eating disorder which put him in a dark place. Once he discovered fitness, he never looked back. He says his best skill in the competition is his ability to stay calm in high-pressure situations and his ability to stay focused on the goal.
Shannon Torgerson (she/her)
Shannon Torgerson is 37 years old, a mother of two, and a sheep farmer who is competing in Canada’s Ultimate Challenge to bring awareness and recognition to women in agriculture. Stemming from Warburg, Alberta, the five- foot-one competitor is thrilled to throw herself in the ring and show her farmer’s strength.
You can watch season two of Canada’s Ultimate Challenge on Sunday at 8 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem.
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