February 2, 2009
VERBEEK SHARES HER STORY AT WOMEN OF INFLUENCE LUNCHEON
There is a real push for Canadians to own the podium in 2010.
Tonya Verbeek has been there, done that.
The Beamsville, Ont. native has been one Canadian athlete who has done her part in contributing to her country's athletic success on the grandest of international stages, claiming silver and bronze in two successive Summer Olympics. In doing so, Verbeek became the most decorated Olympic wrestler in Canadian history in a sport that was only open to women at the Olympics in 2004.
Verbeek will share her story at the sixth annual Women of Influence Luncheon on Tues., Feb. 10 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. In the audience will be 19 of Ontario University Athletics' (OUA) Women of Influence; student-athletes that have not only excelled on the playing surface, but outside the lines in both their studies and in the community.
Verbeek is a prime example of this commitment, earning three degrees at Brock University while at the same time training to be the very best at her chosen sport. It may not be the path of least resistance, but the destination is that much better in Verbeek's eyes.
"It's just keeping an open mind knowing that you can be the one to get there, but in that, you really got to want it," explained Verbeek about reaching one's goals. "You really got to go for it. That's what I really try to emphasize. It's not an easy road, but it's worth it in the end."
"If you are passionate about something and you want it bad enough, it's possible."
Verbeek was so hungry to achieve success that she just didn't settle for one Olympic medal and call it a career. In a strange way, winning the bronze medal in Beijing in 2008 felt more satisfying than earning the silver four year's earlier in Athens, which fuelled her for even more success.
"In Athens, I lost a match to get the silver, and then for my bronze in Beijing, I won my match. So there was a really different feeling for both of them," reflected Verbeek, comparing the two Olympic experiences. "Relief I felt in Beijing for sure, and gratification; happiness. In Athens, I was a bit shocked, as well as, I wanted more. I was hungry for more. I knew standing on that podium, I was going back to Beijing. So there was more for me to fulfill, and to go after, whereas in Beijing I felt quite satisfied.
Satisfied enough that Verbeek does not expect to be calling on London in 2012. At least that is how she is approaching the next Summer Olympiad at the present time.
"I'm just looking year to year to see what I want and how I feel," reflected Verbeek. "I've told young girls that when I lose my passion and love for the sport, it's definitely time to pack it in, but whereas right now, I definitely do not feel I've lost that."
Verbeek credits her time at Brock University to helping her achieve her wrestling goals, while at the same time acknowledging that her sport helped her achieve academic success that she didn't think was in her future as a teenager.
"It came down to balancing both the education and my athletic career," expressed Verbeek. "If I didn't have that balance, I think it would have been difficult to reach my goals athletically. If I didn't have wrestling to give me an outlet and something to focus on aside from my school, then I don't know if I would have obtained three degrees."
"Back in high school, I didn't even know if I wanted to go to university, but realizing that it worked well to be able to wrestle at the same time as go to university, that's why I chose it."
Fittingly enough, Verbeek once attended the OUA Women of Influence Luncheon as a member of the Brock Badgers wrestling team, and now she gets to bring her message to athletes that have followed the same path of varsity athletics.
"When I was asked to do this event, I was very honoured and I just wanted to jump on the opportunity to do something like this," said Verbeek. "I never would have thought I would be on stage speaking to these awesome women and other athletes."
Tickets to the luncheon are $88.20 each (taxes included) and can be purchased by calling Lisa Constanzo at 416-923-1688 ext. 23 or via e-mail at lconstanzo@powerpointgroup.com.
Source: Josh Bell-Webster
Tonya Verbeek has been there, done that.
The Beamsville, Ont. native has been one Canadian athlete who has done her part in contributing to her country's athletic success on the grandest of international stages, claiming silver and bronze in two successive Summer Olympics. In doing so, Verbeek became the most decorated Olympic wrestler in Canadian history in a sport that was only open to women at the Olympics in 2004.
Verbeek will share her story at the sixth annual Women of Influence Luncheon on Tues., Feb. 10 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. In the audience will be 19 of Ontario University Athletics' (OUA) Women of Influence; student-athletes that have not only excelled on the playing surface, but outside the lines in both their studies and in the community.
Verbeek is a prime example of this commitment, earning three degrees at Brock University while at the same time training to be the very best at her chosen sport. It may not be the path of least resistance, but the destination is that much better in Verbeek's eyes.
"It's just keeping an open mind knowing that you can be the one to get there, but in that, you really got to want it," explained Verbeek about reaching one's goals. "You really got to go for it. That's what I really try to emphasize. It's not an easy road, but it's worth it in the end."
"If you are passionate about something and you want it bad enough, it's possible."
Verbeek was so hungry to achieve success that she just didn't settle for one Olympic medal and call it a career. In a strange way, winning the bronze medal in Beijing in 2008 felt more satisfying than earning the silver four year's earlier in Athens, which fuelled her for even more success.
"In Athens, I lost a match to get the silver, and then for my bronze in Beijing, I won my match. So there was a really different feeling for both of them," reflected Verbeek, comparing the two Olympic experiences. "Relief I felt in Beijing for sure, and gratification; happiness. In Athens, I was a bit shocked, as well as, I wanted more. I was hungry for more. I knew standing on that podium, I was going back to Beijing. So there was more for me to fulfill, and to go after, whereas in Beijing I felt quite satisfied.
Satisfied enough that Verbeek does not expect to be calling on London in 2012. At least that is how she is approaching the next Summer Olympiad at the present time.
"I'm just looking year to year to see what I want and how I feel," reflected Verbeek. "I've told young girls that when I lose my passion and love for the sport, it's definitely time to pack it in, but whereas right now, I definitely do not feel I've lost that."
Verbeek credits her time at Brock University to helping her achieve her wrestling goals, while at the same time acknowledging that her sport helped her achieve academic success that she didn't think was in her future as a teenager.
"It came down to balancing both the education and my athletic career," expressed Verbeek. "If I didn't have that balance, I think it would have been difficult to reach my goals athletically. If I didn't have wrestling to give me an outlet and something to focus on aside from my school, then I don't know if I would have obtained three degrees."
"Back in high school, I didn't even know if I wanted to go to university, but realizing that it worked well to be able to wrestle at the same time as go to university, that's why I chose it."
Fittingly enough, Verbeek once attended the OUA Women of Influence Luncheon as a member of the Brock Badgers wrestling team, and now she gets to bring her message to athletes that have followed the same path of varsity athletics.
"When I was asked to do this event, I was very honoured and I just wanted to jump on the opportunity to do something like this," said Verbeek. "I never would have thought I would be on stage speaking to these awesome women and other athletes."
Tickets to the luncheon are $88.20 each (taxes included) and can be purchased by calling Lisa Constanzo at 416-923-1688 ext. 23 or via e-mail at lconstanzo@powerpointgroup.com.
Source: Josh Bell-Webster
