With gold in sight, Wiebe advances to wrestling final
Erica Wiebe will grapple for gold on Thursday, as she joins Canada’s elite group of Olympic wrestling medallists.
Wiebe is having quite the Olympic debut, as she advances to Thursday’s 75kg final, against Guzel Manyurova of Kazakhstan. But, before she officially joins Team Canada’s Rio 2016 Olympic medallists, here’s a recap of her path to the gold medal final.
First round
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Team Canada’s Erica Elizabeth Wiebe battles in 63 kg women’s wrestling during the qualification match at Carioca Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday August 18, 2016. COC Photo/David Jackson
In her first bout of Rio 2016, Wiebe went head to head with Germany’s Maria Selmaier. The Canadian made her Olympic debut one to remember, winning her opening bout 3-0.
Quarterfinals
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Team Canada’s Erica Elizabeth Wiebe battles in 63 kg women’s wrestling during the quarter finals match at Carioca Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday August 18, 2016. COC Photo/David Jackson
The Canadian’s second victory came at the expense of China’s Fengliu Zhang. In her closest match of the competition, Weibe defeated the 2013 world champion 3-1 to advance to the semifinal.
Semifinals
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The Canadian went into her semifinal bout hungry for a victory, picking up the first point at the expense of Vasilisa Marzaliuk’s passivity. Wiebe continued to control the match, forcing the world bronze medallist on her stomach to end the bout with a 3-0 victory.
Erica Elizabeth Wiebe battles in 75 kg women’s wrestling during the qualification match at Carioca Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday August 18, 2016. COC Photo/David Jackson
With a spot on the podium already secured, Wiebe will continue Canada’s Olympic wrestling success, which includes a medal at every Games since the women’s event was added at Athens 2004. However, the colour of Canada’s first Olympic medal will be determined at 5:35pm ET, as Wiebe steps on the mat for her final bout in Rio.
