Canadian Roundup: A worlds medal, Olympic berth and more
From a world championship silver in athletics to an Olympic berth in wrestling, Canadians continue to pick up hardware ahead of Rio 2016.
A winter sport is also back in the picture, as men’s hockey aims to defend its world championship title in Russia.
Athletics
Read: Canada snatches race walking world silver
Canadian race walkers finished second at the IAAF Team Championships on Saturday in Rome. World bronze medallist Ben Thorne led the team finishing fifth, Ianaki Gomez came next in seventh place and Evan Dunfee crossed the line in 13th to secure the team silver.
Race walkers Evan Dunfee, Ben Thorne and Ianaki Gomez celebrate a second place finish at the IAAF team championships on May 7, 2016. (Photo: Jon Mulkeen)
Wrestling – Freestyle
Two-time Olympian Haislan Garcia, punched his ticket to Rio 2016 at the final Olympic qualifying tournament in Istanbul. The Canadian defeated Bulgaria’s Steganov in the men’s 65kg freestyle final, despite dislocating his shoulder in the semifinals. Garcia will join Korey Jarvis (125kg) on Canada’s men’s wrestling team this summer.
Cycling – BMX
Read: Nyhaug’s winning streak continues at BMX Supercross World Cup
Tory Nyhaug’s winning streak continued at the third BMX Supercross World Cup event in Pependal, Netherlands on Saturday. The Canadian won his third World Cup time trial, after racing to a time of 36.861 seconds.
Fencing
Read: Polossifakis golden in London fencing event
Olympic-bound fencer Joseph Polossifakis topped the podium, after winning an International Fencing Federation) FIE event in London. The Canadian defeated British fencer James Honeybone in the men’s sabre, to win the Cole Cup final.
Beach Volleyball
Josh Binstock and Sam Schachter finished fifth at the Sochi Open on Saturday. The duo’s finish at the FIVB event will contribute to their overall rankings, used to determine Olympic qualification later this year.
Sailing
Brenda Bowskill is also headed to Rio 2016, after being selected to represent Canada in the single-handed radial class. Bowskill has consistently performed as one of Canada’s top radial sailors and finished 10th at this year’s world championships.
Hockey
Read: Hockey Worlds: Canada trumps Hungary 7-1
Canada continued its successful round-robin play at the men’s IIHF World Hockey Championship. The Canadians defeated USA 5-1 on Friday, before a 7-1 victory of Hungary on Sunday.
