Canadian Roundup: Triumph and heartbreak ahead of Rio 2016
From athletics stars to a WTA tennis pro, Canadians finished on top over the weekend, while men’s volleyball continued its World League winning streak.
However, it wasn’t all good news, after a close quarterfinal ended men’s rugby shot at Rio 2016.
Athletics
Read: Athletics stars beat elements at Harry Jerome
Derek Drouin wins high jump event with a height of 2.23m at the Victoria Track Classic on June 19, 2016. Photo: Chad Hipolito
Canada’s top athletics stars competed on home soil over the weekend, at the Harry Jerome Track Classic and Victoria International Track Classic in British Columbia. World silver medallist Melissa Bishop won the women’s 800 metre at both events registering two runs under one minute 58.90 seconds. Reigning world champion Derek Drouin also won both men’s high jump events with heights over 2.20m.
Tennis
Read: Dabrowski wins doubles title in Mallorca
Gabriela Dabrowski (left bottom) and Maria Jose Martinez (Photo via Mallorca Open).
Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski teamed up with Maria Jose Martinez of Spain, to win the WTA doubles title in Mallorca, Spain. The pair defeated Germany’s Anna-Lena Friedsam and Laura Siegemund 6-4, 6-2, to give the Canadian her third career WTA doubles title. Over in England, Milos Raonic fell to Britain’s Andy Murray in the Queen’s Club Championship final.
Volleyball
Read: Canada opens World League with three wins
Rudy Verhoeff blocks a Czech Republic hit at the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World League on June 19, 2015. Photo: FIVB
Two weeks after qualifying for Rio 2016, Canada is off to a strong start at the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World League tournament. The Canadians won their first three matches defeating both China and Egypt in straight sets, before a 3-1 victory over Czech hosts on Sunday. The Canadians will continue the tournament at home, as they play China, Portugal and South Korea next weekend in Saskatoon.
Field Hockey
Read: Canadian men end European tour with 2-2 draw in Spain
Canada’s Rio 2016 bound men’s field hockey team ended a seven-game European Tour, with a 2-2 tie against world number 11, Spain on Sunday. It was the Canadian’s second draw against the Spaniards, who only won one match of the three game series in Madrid. Next up, the team will host the United States for four games in British Columbia from July 6 to 10.
Rugby
Read: Rugby men advance to quarterfinals at Olympic qualifier
John Moonlight against Uruguay at the Olympic repechage on June 18, 2016 (Photo: World Rugby).
Rugby Canada’s men faced a heartbreaking 14-12 loss to Russia in on Saturday at the final Olympic Qualifier in Monaco. A 21-19 fall to Germany, gave Canada its first loss of the tournament and set the team up for a tough quarterfinal against Russia, where another close game ended the nation’s shot at an Olympic berth. The men’s team went on to finish fifth overall in the tournament.
