Eight wrestlers named to Olympic team for Rio 2016

A returning veteran, along with seven first time Olympic nominees have all been named to Team Canada for wrestling at Rio 2016.

Two-time Olympian Haislan Garcia (65kg) has been selected by Wrestling Canada for his third consecutive Olympic team. He will look to improve on his seventh place showing at London 2012. The other grappler on the men’s side set to represent Canada is Korey Jarvis (125kg). Both wrestlers will compete in the freestyle category.

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Six women will be featured on Rio’s wrestling mats for Canada, one for each weight class and they are Jasmine Mian, Jillian Gallays, Michelle Fazzari, Danielle Lappage, Dorothy Yeats and Erica Wiebe.

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Canada has a total of 16 Olympic medals in wrestling. The two latest arrived at London 2012 when Beijing 2008 champion Carol Huynh won bronze and Tonya Verbeek took silver for their respective second and third career Olympic medals.

Haislan Garcia wrestles Colombia's Hernan Guzman at the the Pan Am Games in Mississauga on July 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Haislan Garcia wrestles Colombia’s Hernan Guzman at the the Pan Am Games in Mississauga on July 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Huynh went on to rally the wrestling world to save the storied sport from being excluded from the Games when it was on a surprising chopping block. She will serve as assistant chef de mission for Team Canada in Rio.

Wrestling in Rio will take place from August 14 to 21 at the Olympic Training Centre in the Barra zone.

Seven new Olympians, along with Haislan Garcia will represent Canada in wrestling at Rio 2016. (L-R) Jasmine Mian, Danielle Lappage, Erica Wiebe, Korey Jarvis, Dorothy Yeats, Michelle Fazzari and Jillian Gallays.

Seven new Olympians, along with Haislan Garcia will represent Canada in wrestling at Rio 2016. (L-R) Jasmine Mian, Danielle Lappage, Erica Wiebe, Korey Jarvis, Dorothy Yeats, Michelle Fazzari and Jillian Gallays.