OTTAWA – One of Canada’s most recent wrestling Olympians, Linda Morais, has announced her retirement. The Tecumseh, Ontario, native won a world championship in 2019, and will forever be among Canada’s elite wrestlers.

“I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to wear the maple leaf for so many years,” said Morais. “The more I traveled around the world competing, the more I came to appreciate what I have at home. The values and kindness Canadians carry are recognized everywhere, and I’m so proud to be Canadian.”

Morais trained and competed out of the Montreal Wrestling Club and called Montreal home for much of her career. She noted that the club and her coach helped shape not only her as a wrestler but as a person. “Wrestling has impacted my life in countless ways, but what I’m most grateful for is the personal growth it’s given me. For the past 14 years, my coach, David Zilberman, has taught me not only how to excel in the sport, but also how to think, persevere, and overcome adversity—lessons that have shaped how I approach challenges in everyday life. I’ve been through a challenging journey, and it has helped shape me into an empowered woman, ready to face whatever chapter comes next.”

Morais has a long list of accomplishments in addition to being an Olympian and World Champion. She is a multi-time national champion, silver medalist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, two-time bronze medalist at the Senior World Championships (2016 and 2022), silver medallist at the 2021 Senior Pan-American Championships, and medalist at multiple international tournaments.

When asked about her favourite memory, Morais quickly points to Paris 2024. “My greatest memory will definitely be my Olympic experience. From the moment I qualified for the Games, I felt overwhelming support from my family, friends, hometown, and country. I was incredibly lucky to have so many loved ones in the stands cheering me on in Paris—by far the best family vacation we’ve ever had!”

Now, Morais has returned home to southwestern Ontario, where her career began. She has become a teacher and started coaching the sport at L’Essor High School. “I have big shoes to fill following M. (David) Tremblay, but I’m excited to bring my knowledge of the sport and give back to the next generation.”

Wrestling Canada Lutte congratulates Morais on a great career and thanks her for always representing the country and national program with integrity, class and professionalism.