two medals last night and two more chances today

Im sure most of you following this blog have been checking the results from last night. If not Sunny Dinsa was defeated by Tervel Dlagnev of the USA in the finals at 120kg. Sunny had a great tournament making the finals, yet I think a bit of nerves and lack of exposure to high calabre matches was apparent. Dlagnev ,this years bronze medalist at worlds, controled Sunny and pick his spots to capitalize. This type of match is big for Sunny to experience. Getting to wrestle a poised and precise top senior opponent will help his growth as a wrestler. He is a great kid, fun to work with loads of ability to develop.

Jeff Adamson dropped the first round to Brazil in his bronze final yet regrouped to win the following two rounds. For Jeff he seemed to build momentum throughout the match and allowed his fitness and toughness to break the Brazillian athlete in round three. jeff scored two take downs and two turns to seal the deciding round. It was a great testament to jeffs growing mental state on the mat.

Today our men (Ryley Walker, Matt Gentry and Khetag Pliev) found ourselves in a dual meet with the powerful Cuban team members. Walker lost to an extremely explosive Cuban. Ryley took the lead 1-1 late in the first round and almost trap arm gut wrenched the cuban athlete. With time expiring the Cuban powered through Ryley on a double and scored an out of bounds point with one second left. The second round Ryley got caught in a firemans carry by a tremendously explosive athlete. The Cuban unfortunately lost to Puerto Rico in the semis and Ryley's tournament ended.

Matt Gentry opened the tournament with a victory over the athlete from Peru. He then dropped a tough three round decision to Blanco of Cuba in the semi finals. This is the second three round decision Blanco has taken from Gentry this year. Blanco is definately a talented athlete with great ability to scramble. I think Matt can be more effective against him but he needs to work with his hands a little more to create more openings. Gentry scored late in the second round to come from behind and win the round but was unable to break through Blanco's positioning in the third period. Blanco will face USA's fenom Jordan Burroughs in the tournament finals.

Pliev started the tournament with an exciting victory over former World Bronze medalist Batista of Cuba. This was an extremely back and forth battle and the onmat official struggled at time to keep up with the action. The first round went to Batista via a clinch, the second to Pliev on a late take down that went to video review. In the third and deciding round Pliev was awarded the clinch position, yet Batista got his leg back and brought Khetag down to the matt undeneath him and seemed to be in great position to stall out the round for the victory. Pliev did an outstanding job of regaining his body position up of of the mat and ended up scoring the match winning point after about 20 seconds of hard wrestling in the clinch position. The Cubans wanted to protest, yet had used their challenge earlier in the match. For me it was one of the best victories I have witnessed Khetag have. Unfortunetly he drew Varner on the USA 15 minutes after this incredibly tough three round battle. Varner (current world Bronze medalist) took no time putting the pressure on the Pliev. He actually shot on the whistle in both rounds. Pliev battled gamely but ultimately was lacking gas to battle such a physical competitor. he dropped a two round decsion to Varner.

The final session both Matt and Khetag will face the MEXICAN athlete for a bronze medal. At 60kg Mexico is also in the finals. The venue has been amazing this week, and tonight should be by far the craziest. I am excited thinking about it. It will be very important for our men to wrestle tough and aggressively (and cleanly). We all know there is often pressure and advantages given to the home town athletes. Thus far much of the officiating has not been strong. I believe both athletes can finish the tournament with podium placements. Similar to Adamson last night they need to let their ability's shine through, no matter how difficult it gets!

Sorry if this entry is a little rushed... Limited time to write.

Wish us luck,

Go Canada!

Coach Vierling

Takahashi Bronze, with two more medal chances tonight

Hi all,

Quick update. The men came out hard this morning and competed fairly well. Jeff started off the morning in tough against the Cuban athlete. He wrestled hard yet, got caught up a few times in an underhook (which the Cubans are famous for). The First round was decided on a zone point. In the second Jeff did a better job anticipating the Cubans pressure yet gave up a take down and turn midway through, he answered back with his own take down late in the round on a low single. It was no surprize the Cuban advanced to the final (vs Herbert of the USA). jeff now has Brazil, a opponent he has defeated for the bronze tonight.

Young Takahashi started out the tournament with a win versus Chile. After giving up the first takedown in the match he picked up the pace and wrestled from a number of positions. He showed good focus and intensity. In the second round, he powered through a beautiful double and planted his opponent on a double flat out of bounds. His next match was versus Blanc of the USA (I almost got a yellow card following the first period which actually leads to a 5000 fine if it happens). he shot in on Blanc and poped him up off of the bottom and looked in great position to finish and score. Blanc sizzored his head and joined his feet to prevent getting scored on for at least 5 seconds. The referre even pointed at the legs but then failed to call the illegal action. Blanc ended up stalemating the action because of it. And then scored late in the second round to win the round. So I walked to the centre of the mat after the first to have a little discussion with him (somehow he did not appreciate what I had to say!). I was furious and pushed it as far as I thought I could. After the match Milina and Touchi told me I was 100% correct in my interpretation of the action. Doesnt matter did not change the fact this guy screwed up! In the second round Blanc scored early, and as Tak tried to work his way back into it he tried a throw and gave up another point and as he tried more and more he left himself open to counter by a far more experienced Blanc. As there were ony three on that side Steven will be awarded the bronze tonight.

At 66kg Lue had a close 3 round match with Taylon Ware! Each round was decided by one sequence. In the first Lue scored and turn Ware twice with a laced ankles. In the second Ware hit a high crotch and after a great scramble finished the attack. In the third no one was able to break through until 10 seconds left in the round. Ware managed to secure the match winning takedown, just when it looked like a clinch was going to be the decider. For Ryan being so competitve with the US number one senior should do nothing but boost his confidence! Unfortunately Ware lost to Cuba next ,match and Ryan is done.

Finally Dinsa, was the most dominant athlete that I saw this morning. He easily dispached the Puerto Rico athlete in 7-0, 7-0 (one take down and gut wrench, hold, gut wrench). Then threw and pinned his next opponent in a over under early in the first round. He will face Tervel Dlagnev in the finals tonight!

I need to run for the bus!!!

Later ,

Go Canada,

Coach Vierling

Carol Huynh wins Pan Am Gold, Verbeek narrowly silver

Well, as usual, some memorable moments for the women on the mat today.
I was going to bed but thought I better come write things down while they are still fresh.

The morning session was okay, both Tonya and Carol progressed through there first two oppenents. They both had slowish starts (I would say), yet got the job done against some physical defensive minded athletes. Justine found herself in a dog fight right off of the bat. the Argentina athlete wrestled a very tough elusive match and ended up beating Justine narrowly. There were opportunities to capitalize yet missed by fractions of a moment here and there. In the end Justine was devistated with the decision. It was a hard fought battle, yet not what she had trained so hard for. The Argentina girl then beat the Cuban the first round of the semi finals, and was leading the match late in the second and was trying to run the cuban to her back on a double to seal the victory but got body locked through (the call could have gone either way as the cuba went straight to her back but she was awarded 3) the argentina girl now down in the second forced an attack, got put on her back and pinned... The Cuban then went onto the final and dominated the USA athlete enroute to the gold medal. What a frustration!

In the finals Carol stepped out against Clarrisa Chun of the USA. A World Champ vs Olympic champ, and the match did not dissapoint! Chun shot on the whistle in the very first round and the scramble that followed was great with Carol eventually sitting on Clarrissa's head and crotch lifting her straight to her back. The american tried to really push the pace through the first round, and some great scrambles turned into no points. With about 15 seconds left Clarissa caught Carol in a beautiful arm throw for three points! Carol was now lossing 3-2 and got up with about 5 seconds left and firemans carried Chun! Chun managed to spin on her head and not go to her back... no points were awarded but it definately should have been at least one. Not worth a protest as it would not have won the round. In the corner Carol quickly refocussed and did not seem phased by the fact chun had stoled the round in the dying seconds. The second round was as entertaining as the first! Both athletes having some good action and failed attacks, yet carol eventually hit a nice high crotch and was trying to finish when chun (always dangerous) almost took it over and picked her to her back... Carol battled back to good position and did NOT pull of the attack and eventually followed it up with a finish out of bounds. There was a great flurry to finish the match. Carol was winning 1-0 And Chun was pressuring when Carol reattacked into Chuns legs... Chun got her legs back and tried to pop Carol over and had it so tight (im not sure how Carol managed to not go over), Chun then shot under Carol on the attack and as they scrambled through the action carol Knee tapped Chun straight to her back and settled ontop looking for the fall. The whole arena erupted (they LOVE Carol here).. I was a little worried they were not going to call the fall as carol held her on her back pretty close for about ten seconds, finally with about two seconds left the fall was confirmed. What a match!!! Carol has now won ever Games she has entered (FISU 2005, Pan Ams 2007, Olympics 2008, Commonwealth 2010, and Pan Ams 2011) quite an amazing feat for an amazing woman!

Tonya's final was just as anticipated and once again was against Helen Marlouis of the US. Tonya beat helen in the finals of the Dave Schultz tourney this past season, and Marlouis had a good Worlds placing fifth at 55kg. The first round was really close between these two... Tonya was unable to get off a clean attack as Marlouis was clamping her up and diving underneath. Tonya was not getting a full sprawl off and had to settle for a stalemate on a few occasions when defensively she is very good at scoring. The first clinch was awarded to Marlouis after the ball draw and she finished Verbeek to the ground. During the break we talked about the need to commit to solid offense and that is exactly what Tonya did. She hit two solid shots, the second one scored and her powerful par tarre was too much! Tonya laced Helen for 6 points and a 7-0 round. The third round started and both athlete struggled to get off a quality attack against each other. There were some very good scrambles, yet no scoring. In the dying seconds Helen hit a leg shot that Tonya countered and caught in a front head lock. Two things played into the final 10 seconds... Tonya had poped Marlouis over on the front head lock in their previous match, and Verbeek was afraid that she may go to the clinch AGAIN. So as time expired she tried her pop over and slipped off of Helen to give up two points. It was very frustrating to watch, yet I understand Tonya did not want to go to the clinch again! Helen was awarded two points and the match. A tough pill to swallow... I felt bad for Tonya, yet she wrestled a tough match (not quite her best, yet she needed a break off of the Worlds and it is hard to wrestle this tourney with a shortened prep).

I was proud of our group as always! Whether our hand gets raised or not, people dont understand how much effort, heart, and soul goes into this damn sport!!! It was Carol's night tonight, yet we are a great team! Julie Healey from the Canadian Olympic Committee was congratulating my later on the performances. I explained to her, I am always proud of our team. All four are capable of winning this tourney (Leah was gold , and Justine silver in Feb at the Pan Am championships). She reminded ME to keep our eye on the Prize in London. She was Team leader with Women's Hockey in 2002. They lost to the american's 8 times heading into the olympic games that year (zero wins)! Yet they still won the gold medal!

After doping control our team had a great evening of laughing and eating steak sandwiches and chocolate shakes (Our support staff had one or two drinks) in the international zone. The day is done, and we competed tough!

Tomorrow our freestylers, hit the mat. It is our "youngster day" for the men! Takahashi starts with Chile, Lue gets USA, and Dinsa has Puerto Rico, the "older man" Adamson has Cuba. I am excited to get to coach and see these guys compete!
K im going to bed!

Go Canada,
Coach Vierling

Women start today

Nothing like an icy cold shower to get you ready for a competition day!
Good morning from Guadalajara. If you have been following the results then you know it has been a frustrating couple of days for the greco guys, and for our women too a bit. Leah callahan failed to make weight yesterday, long story short she was given the call to come her on short notice and making scratch weight is no small feet. She worked incredibly hard and for the last four days, but miss very narrowly. She is devistated, but we all still love her nonetheless.
The rest of our girls weighed in and recieved their draws.

Carol has the winner between ESA and ARG first match. (both Columbia and USA are on the other side of the draw). We are not going to take anyone lightly here. I watch tape on both. The Arg girl had a good match with KAZ at the worlds who is a player for sure.

Tonya has Peru first, this girl was at the Canada Cup camp this year and is quite a defensive solid athlete. So Tonya will have to get after her. She will likely have ECU next, ECU beat Anna Gomis of France at the Worlds this year and won a few matches, she is long and another good athlete. (Usa, Ven, and Brazil are all on the otherside).

Justine has Arg first round. Arg girl lost to USA at the worlds this year. She is a pretty dynamic girl and actually hit some nice attacks on the american. She is a bit all over the place so Justine will have to track her down. Her next match would likely be Cuba. The Cuban girl is a very explosive athlete, she was in a bronze match at the worlds last year and beat Lappage this year at the Cerro Pelado tourney. She is a stud and has an incredibly powerful double. (USA, Col, and Ven are on the other side).

I need to grab a bite then grab the bus, its almost an hour to the competition. The session should be very short this morning. I will blog after lunch with the results.

Wish us luck.
Go Canada!

Coach Vierling

Greetings from Guadalajara, Life in the village

Hello to everyone back home.

To all the followers of this blog, I welcome you to the 2011 Pan American Games. Please be patient with my coverage and my writting skills. I was told my grammar and sentence structure "is as painful as a well executed BUTT DRAG!" That is an actual quote from a good friend and athlete of mine. For those of you who are not actual wrestlers, lets just say that is not a compliment! Here goes nothing!

We arrived to the athletes village after a couple of flights and a fairly full day of travel. Driving up to the village you can clearly see the Pan American Stadium where the opening ceremonies were held, the games torch is lit prominently above the stadium for all to see. It is a symbol that gives me goosebumps every time I see it, a symbol of the events and memories to be created here in Mexico. The actual village is nestled in a fairly picturesque setting, with lots of trees and hills surrounding the somewhat temporary feeling village. This country setting is surprising given we are in the midst of a large city that boasts over 4 million inhabitants!

Our apartment building is a short walk from the transportation mall, maybe five minutes. We were met promplty at the airport and with minimal delays and with a police escort were driven directly to the village. It is always exciting to walk through the security gates and get to see the our home for the next week or so. Each of the buildings is splattered with the flags of the country staying there. Canada being one of the most prominent countrys at these games. As we walked into OUR building is was nice to see a number of a banners the COC has created for these Guadalajara games. Athletes and coaches who were memorable parts of Canada's games success. There to greet all Canadian team members and inspire them. Pictures of Daniel Igali, Tonya Verbeek, and Carol Huynh! Proud faces, and all three testaments of what can be accomplished when facing great opportunity.

I was kicked out of the coaches lounge last night and decided to send off the rest of the blog this morning. The condo units we are living in are quite nice, holding upto 13 people in three bedrooms and there are actual beds in the living room. I feel like our team was fortunate in getting asigned actual bedrooms (for our staff and athletes) and not being stuck in the living room (much more private). The view from my room is absolutely beautiful. There is a lush green courtyard with a nice fountain in the middle of it, there is a beautiful hillside beyond our buildings with a great walking jogging path up the hill overlooking the Games stadium and village. I went up there this morning and the view was something I will definately remember. As you start the walk up there is a great relaxing area with an outdoor pool low on the hillside. It is quite a sight seeing all of the different types of athletic bodies already starting to gather in the morning. Tall, short, thin, thick, a very athletic and attractive crowd! They also have a tent beside the pool where they have build a temporary steam sauna, pretty cool. They have a great training facility with a bunch of cardio equipment on a catwalk between two bulding. The room is large and well equipped on the 4th floor and is all glass overlooking the village courtyard on one side and the pool and hillside on the other (really a fabulous set up).

Today we had two of our Men begin the Greco competition. Shawn Daye-Findley at 66kg, and Eric Feunekes at 84kg. Don Ryan headed over with Chris Stefopulos. We have all been givin cell phones to use for the duration of the games. A great luxery in helping us stay in touch and keep ontop of all the potential distractions and areas of confusion inherent at these games. According to Chris the competition venue was 45minute drive from the village this morning. They have two mats opperating and everything there ran fairly smoothly, which is a pleasant surprise.

I stayed back in the village with our Women who have a number of obligatory meetings to get through today ontop of getting their weight under control for the weigh in tomorrow. Our schedule includes, going to outfitting at 2 pm to collect all our team Canada gear for the games, a saftey briefing and team orientation at 3:30, and a sit down with our Doctor Dory Boyer to go through a comprehensive medical/supplimentation screening prior to the competition. Being in a multi sport games is always a real challenge as there are so many distractions and hoops that our group needs to jump through prior to actual competitions. Nontheless, our girls seem in pretty good spirits as usual. Making scratch weight will be a little bit of a challenge, we will take them to a special facitity tonight that has a sauna and good cardio area at around 6:30pm. As you can see the day fills up fairly quickly. Whew...

Our freestyle team arrives today and it will be very important that we have clear communication from this point forward asto where and when things will happen, for the different team members. The food hall is typical of a major games, yet not quite as well done as India last year for the commonwealth. The selection is a little limited, yet adequate. It is essentially a caferteria the size of a football field. There is a great athlete lounge, coaches lounge, and medical centre the Canadian Olympic committee have created in the main level of our builing. Athletes have access to snacks and food and an actual nutritionist goes out daily and buys special items that are requested. There are ample safe drinks (juices, gaterade, bottled water, good coffee), as well as fruit, cerials, bars, etc. This save the athletes having to walk to the food hall everytime they need a snack. Also provides a great relaxing and socializing location. I am in the coaches lounge as I write this (both lounges have internet access, and a games tv feed). The medical center is a nice walk in clinic where athletes and staff can get any immediate issues dealt with, on top of treatments they have a few inflatable tubs set up (have not felt the temp) but I assume Cold and Hot for theraputic purposes.

Finally there is an international zone near the entrance ajacent to the transporation mall. It is essentially a mini city centre for athletes and approved outsiders (family members, sponsors, etc.) to come together and mix. They have a large outdoor stage and according to Chris Stef. they have had varying entertainment each evening. There is an outdoor pub, social area and many kiosks and things for people to see and do. An internet cafe, a food court which includes a Starbucks coffee. There in a Scotiabank, general store, bakery, sight seeing company, souvenier store and general venders with Mexican trinkets. As well as lots more. One of the nice things about a setting like this is I am able to sit down an socialize with some of my various important people. Last night their were a number of coaches in the international zone. It is a great place to do a little business in an informal setting. I am able to chat with Canadian Olympic Committee members, or support staff, or other national coaches and create relationships that will serve us well in the future. Last night I spent part of the evening talking to Terry Steiner (the US National Coach). Our programs have a good relationship that has been fostered over the last ten years. We exchange ideas, and planning, and do our best to create a future plan that will benefit both programs. It was a great evening. Chatting to Don, Chris, Jessica, Terry, Billy Wood and others. Lots of great inside wrestling stories (about Cael Sanderson as an example) and so many other things. I could probably write an interesting blog just about all the stories and stuff going on in the wrestling world alone. I know a bunch of the huge wrestling fans who read this would love that!

Anyways, I need to grab lunch now before the meetings this afternoon.

I have done my best to fill you in on the surroundings and try to give you a feel for being part of the team. I hope people are excited back home!

I will blog about the guys today when I get the report from Chris and Don.

Wish us luck!

Go Canada!

Coach Vierling

Team Canada 2nd after final day of Women's Wrestling

Well the final day of women's competition ended an hour ago. When the dust settled to my pleasant surprize our Women's Team was 2nd in the team standings which was the best news I can deliver from the day. It was a really competitive team race this year and honestly I thought USA, Russia, Mongolia might pass us as we had entered the day with a lead on them.

At 67 kg Martine Dugreniers reign as World Champion came to an end. She opened the tournament with a fall vs Kazakstan, and looked to be wrestling well. In her next match, she lost a heart breaking match vs the Chinese athlete (the eventual World Champion). I know Martine is very dissapointted with the final outcome of her tournament (7th place). As usual she was effective in being agressive and initiating her attacks early on in her matches. Yet the tough defense of the Chinese athletes proved to be her key to a World Championship today. In her repachage match Adeline Gray of the USA came out aggressively and managed to score in the dying seconds of both rounds versus Dugrenier. It was just not meant to be this afternoon for Martine.

At 72kg Ohenewa Akuffo opened the tournament with a tough decision versus long time rival Kyoko Hamiguchi of Japan. It felt good to see one of our girls beat a member of this Japenese team that has been the dominating force in women's wrestling. But it was the USA's day today (against our athletes)... in her quarter final Ohenewa lost by fall to Ali Bernard of the United States. Leading late in the second round Bernard shot under Akuffo and kept driving up and into on a double... Ohenewa clamped and tried her over/under throw (lateral drop or pancake, man wreslting has funny names). Bernard almost rotated through to her back but managed to twist and stop Akuffos momentum and then settle on for the fall. It was hard to watch a third winnable match slip from our finger tips today! The risk of the counter attack worked for Akuffo at last tears Worlds yet Bernards suppliness and flexibility makes her hard to throw. We will have to get even with our American friends on another day, today they got the better of us... Perhaps the Olympics!

I want to congradulate our team for there efforts here and this past season. Being second as a team (in the largest Women's Worlds Ever) I believe is a testiment to the system of wrestling we built in our country. Our school systems have embraced wrestling as a great sport for women by and large. We have a Women's University league in the CIS that is exemplary (around the world) and provides many our national team athletes quality training environments and access to a quantity of tough matches that helps them to grow as wrestlers. We also have some of the most motivated and inspiring coaches I could ask for. They make being a Women Wrestler an exciting opportunity! Our women are seen as wrestlers first and not stereotyped based on there gender. This is a tough sport that teaches so much about the character of those who do it. Over the years our national team has been seen as skilled and tough, worthy of stepping up against the very best and expecting success!!! This is a tradition I want every wrestler to embrace (and even to build on!!!!). So many of our best up and coming wrestlers spent the summer training with this team and attending their own competitions and camps. This result is a testament to there drive and support too!

This December I sit down with Own the Podium and present our final game plan moving into the London Olympic Games. I will also begin to present our process and "strategic planning" for RIO and the 2016 Olympic Games!

My hope is that the large amount of people who have tuned into this blog for the World Championships will continue to help our sport grow and gain support! One email I received while I have been here was from an old friend who loves how our team represents us on the world stage... He vowed to donate $250 to the quest for gold program for every world medalst we got. I think this is fantasitic!!! Somewhere out there there must be a corporation that would be impressed by the skills and dedication our athletes display... Food for thought...

We are quickly transitioning into the men's competition. David Tremblay lost his opening match today versus the KGZ athlete. Tomorrow: John Pineda, Jeff Adamson, and Hetag Pliev all hit the mats tomorrow.

That is more than enough for now...

It has been a heck of an emotional ride...

Thanks for tuning in and supporting our team!

Coach Vierling

Day 2 recap, and Day 3 about to start!!!

After an emotional day two... I have regrouped for the final day...

I asked Paul to write the blog last night, I just needed a break a little break.

It was a day of highs and lows and believe it or not we didnt quite get the breaks we needed at the times we needed them which was frustrating (my foot is fine...).

At 63kg I felt horrible for Justine for the way that her match turned out. The bottom line is I feel very responcible for the outcome (which I feel horrible about!)...

I could not find any matches on the Turkish girl and since Justine has such a great track record against the majority of the athletes in the weight I made a classic coaching mistake. You never want to scare your athlete, you want them to feel confident and ready going into a match. So I told Justine she would be fine in the first match. From the first whistle the girl was pawing justine diectly in the face and backing away, yet justine eventually hit a single leg toward the end on the first round only to be countered and thrown for three as she came upto her feet! She continued to scramble and came out on top but failed to turn the turkish girl (a little panicked).

She then won the second round, yet was a little gun shy as she was now a little worried that her opponent was a bit of a funky leg defense athlete. In the third round the Turekish girl tried to goto the clinch, and Justine took a few shots but didnt pursue them the way that I know she can. The round ended 0-0 and (our bad luck) the turk got the clinch and won the match. I felt horrible!!!! I could have gotten Justine a bit more activated and ready to go to war. I fell into a classic mistake of looking ahead at the long list of athletes coming down the pipe and failed to ensure she was really mentally preped for a dirty, abrasive, passive athlete. (I couldnt feel worse, for an athlete who has dedicated herself to working soooo very hard to be great). The bottom linbe is Justine is a tremendously skilled athlete and we got unfocussed and didnt let those skills shine through (and in our sport, it happened to many other great athletes yesterday too).

Amanda had a very good day at 59kg and lost a tight match for the bronze medal vs AZE, last years silver medalist. She opened the tournament with a win, lost to Ukraine (the eventual champion), she defeated the Chinese girl in what I thought was a really focussed effort. Amanda is a very quick and agile athlete, and she did a great job of going after her opponents and getting into the match! She usually was on their legs with an attack within the first 15 seconds of every round, which honestly most of our other girls have not done. I would have liked to see amanda on the podium yesterday. She definately was capable of it! I hope she is happy with her first World Championships effort and placement. She definately showed she can be a serious competitor at the weight!

Tonya had the day I anticipated she would. She has been wonderful this year and has really rededicated herself to the love of this sport and training (something, I thought she lacked, just a bit heading into last years worlds). She gutted her way through multiple three round matches (Russia, Azerbijian, Ukraine, and Japan)! She earned her spot on the podium yesterday for sure! Paul already talked about the dramatic world final! I would encourage people to watch on the website. She was penalized with a Caution and one point at about the 1 minute point of the third round (this gave Japan the lead). I was furious!!! The japanese girl was not attacking, just faking and the refs went with t. It was the only call like that I have seen in the tournemament so far!!! Saori took a low single and again they gave her a point (prematurely, in my opinion). she never actually finished the leg attack and Tonya ended up countering her across her back for two points! Both of Yoshidas first two points were not earned!!! The thing that makes me so pissed is that Yoshida is such a great wrester (the most successful athlete in the history of the sport, she is the womens Satiev). It bugs me that the refs think they need to "help her out"! We didnt get the breaks, bottom line, in that match that you sometimes need to get, to win that gold medal. Tonya should hold her head high! She is one hell of a competitor and we all know a true champion for Canada!!!

I didnt wanna take too long this morning with this as I am watching video. I am proud of all our girls! They are amazing athletes, competitors and ambassadors for Canada Wrestling! One match can make you feel great or be absolutely devastating to how you feel. All of them need to see the big picture, they have all done increedible things on a wreslting mat!

TODAY, our final day for the women. We are in second place as a team and things are tight! I really just want our final two athletes to step onto the mat and be ready to go this afternoon.

At 67kg Martine has KAZ first match, yet this is a different athlete than the one she faced at last years final. Here second match would be the winner between USA and China. She will need to be ready. I am very confident that Martine is the athlete to beat at the weight class. A few of the key competitors have relocated to 63kg or 72kg for the Worlds. YET, as we already learned the hard way, no one can be overlooked. Each match is an individual effort and you gotta go make it happen (each time).

At 72kg, Ohenewa is the only athlete in her weight with a first round bye. She will likely move right into a big match up with Kyoko Hamiguchi of Japan in the second round of wresting. They have met a number of time and it should be exciting to see how it plays out again today. As Jessie MacDonald did, I hope ohenewa is ready to step up and beat Japan! She doesnt need to be intimidated by anyone! I know Kyoko is not taking many attacks, and will likely try and win a tactical match.

I am excited to get back out there today and finish this tournament off! I have gotten so many compliments about our team at the tournament. But lets face it, people are not telling me anything I dont already know... Our girls a great competitors!

Wish us luck!

Go Canada!!!!

Coach Vierling