Wrestling medalist named flag bearer

When the call came, Canadian wrestler Erica Wiebe thought she might be in trouble.

The word from Wrestling Canada’s executive director was to report immediately to the Canada office at the athletes village.

“We turned the corner and the chef de mission for Team Canada (Claire Carver-Dias), the assistant chef (Benoit Huot) were both there and I instantly was like “Oh maybe it’s not so bad. I didn’t get too crazy last night,’’’ Wiebe said with a laugh.

The news was the 28-year-old from Stittsville, Ont., who successfully defended her Commonwealth Games 76-kilogram title on the Gold Coast, will serve as Canada’s flag-bearer at today’s closing ceremonies.

“I’m so proud to play for Team Canada, I’m so proud to wrestle for Team Canada,” said Wiebe, who trains out of Calgary. “To lead the team that has done so amazing at this Commonwealth games into the closing ceremonies, it’s surreal.”

Montreal diver Meaghan Benfeito carried the Canadian flag at the opening ceremonies at Carrara Stadium.

Wiebe stopped Nigeria’s Blessing Onyebucho on Thursday to win a second successive gold at the Commonwealth Games. She also won in Rio in 2016, joining Tonya Verbeek (now head coach of Canada’s wrestling team) and Carol Huynh as Canada’s only female Olympic wrestling medallists.

“To win the 2014 Commonwealth Games, then the 2016 Olympic Games, and repeat again as Commonwealth Champion is an amazing achievement,” said Carver-Dias. “With her unquenchable energy and love of the Commonwealth sport movement, Erica embodies the true spirit of Canada’s amazing athletes.”

Wiebe has a special spot for the Commonwealth Games, saying her win in Glasgow four years ago helped pave the way to Rio.