August 10, 2012
Brock University's Verbeek captures Olympic silver
LONDON, ENGLAND - Former Brock University women's wrestler and Badgers assistant coach Tonya Verbeek captured her third Olympic medal with a silver medal performance at the Excel Centre Thursday afternoon in London.
"Today Tonya cemented her legacy as one of the greatest female wrestlers in Canadian history," said Brock University Director of Athletics Robert Hilson. "Today she provided the Brock University and Niagara community with a day they will remember for the rest of their lives."
Verbeek lost the gold medal match to Japan's Saori Yoshida, a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and nine-time World Champion at 55kg.
She finished the 2012 Olympic games with a 3-1 overall record having posted victories over Geeta Geeta (IND), Tetyana Lazareva (UKR) and Jackeline Renteria Castillo (COL) in the semi-finals.
"I am happy to bring home a silver for Canada in women's wrestling," said Brock University's Tonya Verbeek. "I have been through a lot of ups and downs, but at the end of the day I am happy with what I have done. I gave it my all and I just love the sport of wrestling and what it has done for me. I would just like to thank all those who have supported me in my career. I will not be competing at another Olympics but I am not taking off my boots today. I have the World Championships coming up in September."
With the silver medal, Verbeek becomes the most decorated Olympic female wrestler in Canadian history having collected two silver (2004, 2012) and one bronze medal (2008). She also has three world medals. She is also one of the top female athlete in Brock University history.
"It is a well deserved medal and she trained so hard for it," said Olympic training partner Michelle Fazzari. "It is amazing that she has been a three-time Olympic medalist. Tonya has made our country proud and inspired people all around the world."
In her 19-year wrestling career Verbeek has accomplished far more than she ever expected when she began wrestling in 1993 at Beamsville High School.
In the world of women's sport, Verbeek has become a true inspiration and Canadian role model. She is an athlete, a teacher, a coach and a professional speaker teaching many what it is like to compete at the highest level of amateur sport, but more important that what ever you do in life you can reach your goals if you set them.
Reaching the podium for the third time in her illustrious career is a truly remarkable story about a girl from a small hometown that took up a new sport in high school, persevered through injuries and has excelled on every international stage.
Source: Brock Badgers
Photo credit: Jason Ransom, COC
"Today Tonya cemented her legacy as one of the greatest female wrestlers in Canadian history," said Brock University Director of Athletics Robert Hilson. "Today she provided the Brock University and Niagara community with a day they will remember for the rest of their lives."
Verbeek lost the gold medal match to Japan's Saori Yoshida, a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and nine-time World Champion at 55kg.
She finished the 2012 Olympic games with a 3-1 overall record having posted victories over Geeta Geeta (IND), Tetyana Lazareva (UKR) and Jackeline Renteria Castillo (COL) in the semi-finals.
"I am happy to bring home a silver for Canada in women's wrestling," said Brock University's Tonya Verbeek. "I have been through a lot of ups and downs, but at the end of the day I am happy with what I have done. I gave it my all and I just love the sport of wrestling and what it has done for me. I would just like to thank all those who have supported me in my career. I will not be competing at another Olympics but I am not taking off my boots today. I have the World Championships coming up in September."
With the silver medal, Verbeek becomes the most decorated Olympic female wrestler in Canadian history having collected two silver (2004, 2012) and one bronze medal (2008). She also has three world medals. She is also one of the top female athlete in Brock University history.
"It is a well deserved medal and she trained so hard for it," said Olympic training partner Michelle Fazzari. "It is amazing that she has been a three-time Olympic medalist. Tonya has made our country proud and inspired people all around the world."
In her 19-year wrestling career Verbeek has accomplished far more than she ever expected when she began wrestling in 1993 at Beamsville High School.
In the world of women's sport, Verbeek has become a true inspiration and Canadian role model. She is an athlete, a teacher, a coach and a professional speaker teaching many what it is like to compete at the highest level of amateur sport, but more important that what ever you do in life you can reach your goals if you set them.
Reaching the podium for the third time in her illustrious career is a truly remarkable story about a girl from a small hometown that took up a new sport in high school, persevered through injuries and has excelled on every international stage.
Source: Brock Badgers
Photo credit: Jason Ransom, COC
