GWANGJU, South Korea (Team Canada) – The Canadian women brought home two medals and competition wrapped up on the final day of the 2015 Summer Universiade in Gwangju.
Gwangju 2015 website: www.gwangju2015.com
Team Canada website: http://english.cis-sic.ca/universiade/summer/2015/index
Team Canada Twitter: @CDNUniversiade | #goCanadaU
The water polo and basketball women’s teams both lost in their respective final, still adding two silver medals to the Canadian total which stands at eight (two golds, four silvers and four bronzes).
It is the third time that Canada claims two medals in team sports at the summer Universiade. It happened in 1991 in Sheffield, England (silver in men’s basketball & bronze in women’s basketball) and in 1983 in Edmonton (gold in men’s basketball & silver in men’s volleyball).
The Canadian women’s basketball team claimed silver after falling 82-63 to the United States in the gold medal final. This is Canada’s best result at the games. Prior to tonight, their highest finish was a bronze medal on two occasions in 1979 (Mexico City) and 1991 (Sheffield, England).
“I am tremendously proud of our girls and their performance at these games,” said head coach Fabian McKenzie. “Our first silver medal at the Universiade is a huge step for our program. I have had a wonderful summer with these young ladies, and this truly has been phenomenal.”
Canada was led by Ajax, Ont. native Dakota Whyte with 20 points, while Adut Bulgak had the team’s only double-double with 15 points and 16 rebounds.
Following basketball, the women’s water polo team was in action in the second Canadian final of the night. The match came down to penalty shots after Canada and Australia played to a 3-3 tie in regulation time. The Australian keeper, Lilian Hedges, came up with three saves to be the hero for the gold-medal winning Aussies.
The silver medal is Canada’s first in women’s water polo at the Universiade. The previous top finish was fourth (2013 in Kazan, Russia, and 2009 in Belgrade, Serbia).
“We knew it would be a tight game and very physical,” said head coach David Paradello of Montreal, Que. “The Australians were bigger than us, but we executed the game plan well. We had our chances to score, and that is difficult to get against that team.”
“It was an incredible experience. We went to see other team sports in action, and I believe it motivated us and gave us a bigger sense of team spirit. All of the players are better because of it,” added Paradello to sum up the two weeks at the Universiade.
In men’s basketball, Johnny Berhanemeskel was nearly unstoppable in Canada’s 91-65 win over Estonia to capture seventh place. The Ottawa, Ont., native scored 26 points including eight three-pointers and also counted four rebounds and three assists.
“The guys found me, and it was a fun night. To end on a win and show that we all worked together was so cool,” said Berhanemeskel, who was the 2015 CIS Player of the Year. “The hospitality that Korea has shown us has been unbelievable. Five years of basketball, who knew it would ever bring me to Asia to play for Canada. To represent my team mates back home and my family has been an awesome experience.”
Canada trailed 21-20 after the first quarter but quickly turned things around, winning the second quarter 16-8 for a seven point halftime lead. Mike Andrews of Oakville, Ont. (Bishop’s University) gave Canada a double digit lead at the 50-39 mark and contributed at both ends of the floor to close out the quarter at 62-47. Three triples for Berhanemeskel to open the fourth left no doubt that Canada would walk away with the victory.
The Canadian men’s soccer team finished its Universiade tournament with its second consecutive win, fighting for position in the consolation side. Canada finishes in 13th place. In the final game, Canada defeated Iran 1-1 (4-1 a.p.k.). The Iranians scored first in the sixth minute of play. The Canucks finally drew even in the 92nd minute on a goal from Killian Elkinson.
Canada’s teams competed in kyorugi to wrap up the last day of taekwondo events. The women’s team started off with a convincing victory over Chile, 28-7. However, Canada was stopped in the round of 16 in a 29-2 bout against China. On the men’s side, Canada was matched against China in the first round and was defeated 15-6.
MONDAY, JULY 13 RESULTS
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Canada (5-3) wins 91-65 over Estonia (3-4) in 7th place match, finishes the tournament in 7th place.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Canada (5-1) loses 82-63 to USA (6-0) in the gold medal match, finishes the tournament in 2nd place.
MEN’S SOCCER
Canada (2-4-0) wins 1-1 (4-1 a.p.k.) over Iran (1-5) in 13th place match, finishes the tournament in 13th place.
TAEKWONDO
Men’s Team Kyorugi – Round of 32
Canada (Eloi Paradis-Deschênes, Quebec City, Que., Khalid Hassan, Toronto, Ont., Vincent Foster, Quebec City, Que., William Rodgers, Toronto, Ont.) loses 15-6 to China (Wang Guangshuai, Zhao Panfeng), does not advance.
Women’s Team Kyorugi – Round of 32
Canada (Charlotte Brown, Quebec City, Que., Jasmine Vokey, Montreal, Que., Ruxandra Rodgers, Toronto, Ont.) wins 28-7 over Chile (Makarena Naranjo Faj., Nicole Bidart Orellana, Siri Barnett Rose), advances to round of 16.
Women’s Team Kyorugi – Round of 16
Canada (Charlotte Brown, Quebec City, Que., Jasmine Vokey, Montreal, Que., Ruxandra Rodgers, Toronto, Ont.) loses 29-2 to China (Ren Dandan, Sun Tongtong, Xue Yanhong), does not advance.
WOMEN’S WATERPOLO
Canada (6-1) loses 6-3 (SO) to Australia (6-0-1) in the gold medal match, finishes the tournament in 2nd place.
About the Summer Universiade
The Summer Universiade is an international multi-sport event that takes place every two years and is second only to the Olympic Games in the number of participating athletes and countries. The Universiade is open to competitors who are at least 17 and less than 28 years of age as of January 1 in the year of the Games. Participants must be full-time students at a post-secondary institution (university, college, CEGEP) or have graduated from a post-secondary institution in the year preceding the event.
About Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada. Every year, over 11,500 student-athletes and 700 coaches from 56 universities and four regional associations vie for 21 national championships in 12 different sports. CIS also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, as well as numerous world university championships. For further information, visit www.cis-sic.ca or follow us on:
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