Canadian women’s wrestling star Erica Wiebe retires at age 34

Erica Wiebe (David Jackson, Canadian Olympic Committee) (with permission)

Canadian Olympic gold medalist Erica Wiebe of Stittsville, Ontario announced her retirement on Wednesday at the age of 34. Wiebe won the gold medal for Canada in the women’s 75 kilogram weight class at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. 

What stood out most from Wiebe’s Olympic gold medal winning performance in Rio de Janeiro was her great defense. In four matches, Wiebe gave up only two points. She defeated Maria Selmaier of Germany 5-0 in the round of 16, Fengliu Zhang of China 5-2 in the quarterfinals, Vasilisa Marzaliuk of Belarus 3-0 in the semifinals, and silver medalist Guzel Manyurova of Kazakhstan 6-0 in the gold medal final.

Wiebe also won the bronze medal in the women’s 76 kilogram division at the 2018 World Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary, and two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games. The first came at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and the second came at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast. Wiebe also won the bronze medal at the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia.

According to the Canadian Press, Wiebe will remain active in the sport of wrestling as a broadcaster, coach and administrator. Wiebe’s current job is manager of athletes relations, safe sport, diversity, equity and inclusion for the Canadian Olympic Committee.

 

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