CANADIAN WRESTLERS LOOK TO QUALIFY

Jeff Adamson and John Pineda hoping to qualify for London with podium performances.

Canadian wrestlers John Pineda (Vancouver) and Jeff Adamson (Saskatoon) have one goal in mind when taking part in the 2012 FILA Olympic Qualifier tournament. That being a strong “finish on the podium”.

Both Pineda (60kg) and Adamson (84kg) won the Canadian trials, and would represent Canada at the 2012 Olympic Game as long as Canada can secure its qualification in both of the two weight classes.

In China, the Top 3 performers in each weight classes will secure their participation at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, this summer.

“We are ready for the challenge ahead of us, confident in our preparation, and have the expectation to be successful in meeting our singular goal here in China,” said Dave McKay, head coach of the Canadian Olympic Wrestling Team and head coach at the Burnaby Mountain Wrestling Club, on site in China.

The competition at this tournament is expected to be stiff for the two wrestlers, with the remaining countries from around the world which have not yet qualified will be present at this important tournament.

Countries who have already qualified for the Games in specific weight classes will not be present, according to the FILA Olympic Qualifying protocol.

The 2012 Olympic Qualifying Tournament held this weekend, in Taiyan, China, is the third of four Olympic qualifying tournaments for wrestling.

So far, Canada has secured Olympic berth in all the women’s weight classes, as well as in five of the seven men’s freestyle classes.

Canada had a strong performance at the previous FILA Pan-American Olympic qualifier, qualifying seven athletes for the Games.

Two athletes, the defending Olympic champion Carol Huynh (48kg) and Olympic medallist Tonya Verbeek (55kg), had previously qualified through their results at the last FILA World Championships.