PARIS — Canada’s Olympic wrestling campaign got under way on Aug. 5 at the Champ-de-Mars Arena in Paris, France.

It was Tecumseh, Ontario’s Linda Morais who had the honour of being the first Canadian in action at the Paris 2024 Games. Morais, a member of the Montreal – NTC, drew a tough opponent in the opening round of the women’s 68kg weight class with Nigeria’s Blessing Oborududu, the defending silver medalist from the Tokyo Olympics.

This was not the first time the two met, as they both reached the finals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where Oborududu defeated Morais for the gold.

Morais got out to a good start scoring first and taking a 2-0 lead to the break. However, the second belonged to Oborududu, who would go on to score eight points in the period and win 8-2.

After the match, Morais summed up the experience. “Even though I did not get the result I wanted or believe I could’ve attained, I’m still incredibly proud of the journey I’ve had to get to the Olympics,” said Morais. “I’ve been challenged time and again but in the end, I wouldn’t change it because it allowed me to represent Canada on this biggest international stage. Walking out on the mat today was surreal, and I could feel the electrifying energy from the crowd—something I’ve never experienced at any world championships. As I walked off the mat after my match, I looked up and saw my family and friends cheering me on. It’s an incredible feeling to have the support of my hometown and my nation behind me. Even though I lost, I feel like a winner today, thanks to Canada.”

The next Canadians in action will be Summerside, P.E.I.’s Hannah Taylor, WW 57kg, and Montreal’s Alex Moore, FS 86kg, who will both hit the mats on Aug. 8. For complete Olympic wrestling information, visit Wrestling Canada Lutte’s Olympic hub at: https://wrestling.ca/paris-2024-hub/