A Stinger in Beijing

Canada has now reached the podium 7 times in the Beijing Summer Olympics, and it was our Women's Wrestling team who were responsible for 2 of those accomplishments. Tonya Verbeek won Bronze in the 55 kilogram class, and Carol Huynh from Hazelton B.C. won Canada's first ever gold medal in women's wrestling by defeating Japan's Chiharu Ichu in the 48 kilogram class. 

We are especially proud though, of former Concordia Stinger, Martine Dugrenier who finished 4th in the Women's 63 kilogram class, surrendering the bronze medal-winning point to the American Randi Miller in the final ten seconds of the match. Martine also wrestled the eventual Olympic champion, Kaori Icho of Japan in the semi-finals. Martine was in fact tied with both these opponents at the end of her matches; unfortunately, when tied in the 3rd round, the victory goes to the wrestler who scores the final point. This was Martine's first Olympic competition, and perhaps we will be able to see her compete again in 2012, in London. Congratulations Martine, an an amazing result!