Morrison’s gold first Canadian wrestling medal of TO2015
Genevieve Morrison has given Canada its first wrestling gold medal of the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games.
Genvieve Morrison (right) realizes time has run out and she has won Pan Am Games gold on July 16, 2015.
At the Mississauga Sports Centre on Thursday night, Morrison grappled in the women’s freestyle 48kg class and beat Thalia Mallqui of Peru 5-4. Morrison scored four points in the first period to one for Mallqui, and while the Peruvian enjoyed a stronger second period, the Canadian was able to come away with a close decision.
“To be honest, I was trying to keep the aggression on but she was really good at holding good body position so I was just trying to wrestle a disciplined match,” Morrison said of Mallqui.
“I would have liked to create more offense. It was way too close for comfort for me, but sometimes you just have to get it done.”
Genvieve Morrison holds up her Pan Am Games wrestling gold medal on July 16, 2015.
Earlier in the day Morrison beat Alyssa Lampe of the United States and Yusneylys Guzman of Puerto Rico to clinch a spot in the gold medal bout.
Combat sports fans at Mississauga cheered on competitors in judo the first four Pan Am Games nights. Since that discipline’s conclusion on Tuesday, Mississauga has turned its attention to wrestling and did not disappoint when a Canadian was in a gold medal match and Morrison was appreciative of their support.
“It was awesome to have a crowd like this; they helped me hold it off in those last few seconds.”
Pan Am wrestling continues in Mississauga through July 18.
