Canadian women win Tokyo Olympic berth
Face U.S. in the final, as rowers capture two gold on third-last day of the Pan Am Games
LIMA, PERU — The Canadian women’s water polo team has secured a berth in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Canada booked its first Summer Games ticket since 2004 after the semifinals of the Pan American Games on Friday.
A 19-5 win over Brazil, combined with the United States’ 31-7 victory over Cuba, gave Canada the spot.
An Olympic spot was reserved for the Pan Am winner, but Canada got it because the U.S., already locked up its Olympic berth by winning the 2019 FINA World League.
“Honestly, words can’t really express what I feel,” said Canada’s Joelle Bekhazi, who had three goals against Brazil.
“It’s been a really long road and we worked really hard.”
Montreal’s Axelle Crevier led Canada with four goals against Brazil.
“It means so much to me. In my head, it’s eight years of hard work that we’ve all put together as a team,” said Canada captain Jessica Gaudreault.
“So to come out really strong and dominate in that game, it really meant a lot.”
Canada finished fourth at the most recent world championship in 2017.
Canada will face the Americans in the gold-medal game on Saturday.
The Canadian men’s team faced Brazil in a semifinal later Friday.
SOFTBALL
The Canadian women’s team upset the reigning world champion United States 3-2 in the semifinals.
Emma Enzminger, Jennifer Salling and Kaleigh Rafter drove in runs for Canada.
Jenna Caira got the win in relief and Danielle Lawrie picked up the save.
The U.S., will face Puerto Rico on Saturday for the right to play Canada in the final later in the day.
The Olympic qualifier for the sport starts later this month in Surrey, B.C.
ROWING
Canadian rowers captured two gold medals on the second-last day of their competitions.
Jessica Sevick of Strathmore, Alta., won the women’s single sculls, while Kate Haber of Owen Sound, Ont., and Jaclyn Stelmaszyk of Uxbridge, Ont., took gold in the lightweight women’s double sculls.
ARCHERY
Canada’s Eric Peters upset world-record holder Brady Ellison of the United States in the men’s individual recurve quarterfinals.
“I’m ecstatic,” the Ottawa native said.
“That’s probably some of the best shooting that I’ve ever done and it’s right at the right time.”
Peters will face Crispin Duenas of Toronto in an all-Canadian semifinal on Sunday.
Duenas had bronchitis at the 2015 Pan Ams and lost his first match after winning silver at the past two Games.
TRACK AND FIELD
Vancouver’s Liz Gleadle won silver in the women’s javelin. Gleadle had a toss of 63.30 metres. American Kara Winger won at 64.92. FENCING
Canada took bronze in the men’s foil and women’s sabre team competitions. Eli Schenkel, Maximilien Van Haaster and Misha Sweet made up the men’s team, while Gabriella Page, Marissa Ponich and Pamela Brind’Amour formed the women’s team.
SAILING
Toronto’s Sarah Douglas took gold in the women’s dinghy race. Douglas beat out American Charlotte Rose and Argentina’s Lucia Falasca.
Alex Heninzmann of Delta, B.C., and Justin Barnes of Pickering won a bronze medal in the men’s skiff race.
Five Canadian athletes/ teams to watch on Saturday, the Games’ second last day:
GENEVIEVE LALONDE (TRACK AND FIELD)
The native of Moncton, N.B., competes in the women’s 3,000 metre steeplechase. She won the Canadian championship last month.
MEN’S FIELD HOCKEY TEAM
Canada goes for gold and a spot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when it faces Argentina.
KOREY JARVIS (WRESTLING)
The native of Elliot Lake, Ont., finished eighth in the 125-kilogram class at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
MARY PARSONS (GOLF)
The native of Delta, B.C., is three shots off the lead at the halfway mark.
LUKE RAMSAY (SAILING)
The Vancouver native won silver at the 2015 Pan Am Games. He’s second in the open dinghy division entering the final day.