Two wrestlers with Surrey roots didn't medal at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
Earl Marriott Secondary grad Ana Godinez Gonzalez narrowly missed the podium after losing to Norway’s Grace Bullen in the women's 62KG freestyle bronze-medal match Saturday, Aug. 10.
Meantime, Surrey-raised Amar Dhesi placed ninth in the men's 125KG freestyle competition after losing to Aiaal Lazarev of Kyrgyzstan in a repechage match.
Paris marked a first trip to the Olympics for the Mexico-born Godinez Gonzalez, 24, who now lives in Coquitlam, and the second Games for Dhesi, who placed 13th in Tokyo three years ago.
In an Instagram post, the 28-year-old Dhesi said he's excited for the future.
"Thank you for all the messages and support throughout this run to the 2024 Olympics," Dhesi wrote. "No excuses. This sport is relentless, with the highest of highs and lowest of lows but this one stung. With that being said, I will walk tall with my head held high, as this sport has also taught me who I am and who I inspire to be every day."
Back on Feb. 29, Godinez Gonzalez earned her ticket to Paris at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier in Acapulco, Mexico. A day later, Dhesi dominated in his 125kg semifinal, earning a 11-0 victory.
In June, close to 500 people filled Aria Banquet & Convention Centre in Surrey during a "Road to Paris" fundraiser for Dhesi, who took a year off wrestling in 2023 to work as a police officer in Vancouver. This year, he was on leave from the department to train and compete at the Olympics.
Dhesi and Godinez Gonzalez were among six Team Canada wrestlers in Paris for competition starting Aug. 5, including Hannah Taylor, Linda Morais, Justina Di Stasio and Alex Moore.
