NICE, France (GNB) – Team Canada – New Brunswick wrestlers earned two more bronze medals today at the VIIth Jeux de la Francophonie, in Nice, France. The medals increased the team’s total to four – all in wrestling.
Shawn Daye-Finley (-74 kilograms) and Charles Thoms (-120 kilograms), both of Fredericton, each won their bronze medal match this evening.
Daye-Finley defeated Mustapha Selloum of Morocco on points, while Thoms had a hard time against Zakaria Echiheb, also from Morocco. Both wrestlers lost their semi-final match on points, but won their quarter-final duals.
''I was calmer for the bronze medal match,'' said Daye-Finley. ''I did not come here for bronze, but for gold. "I had nothing to lose tonight. I was more aware of the battle than in my semi-final where I got excited while losing by a few points. I committed errors that cost me the match.''
''I am very happy to have won this medal,'' said Thoms. ''It is the physical conditioning that got me through the match. He was using brutal force while I used technique. I am excited by my first international competition.''
In track and field, Réjean Chiasson of Tilley Road took eighth position in the final of the 10,000-metres. ''The race went as well as I expected because of my training,'' Chiasson said. ''My time was fairly good. I was healthy, and I am happy. I had health issues in the last few months. It was a bit difficult to always run on the track instead of on streets as I normally do. I did run the fastest two kilometres in a number of months, and I picked up near the end. I enjoy marathons and also the track, and I could be more involved in track in the coming months.''
Adam Gaudes of Fredericton was 13th in the 800 metres. He failed to qualify for the final with his time of 1 minute, 54.40, the same as an athlete from Cameroon. Musaab Bala of Qatar was the fastest in a time of 1 minute, 47.84.
Storyteller Kevin Arseneau failed to qualify for the final after his presentation on Sept. 9.
Following is Team Canada – New Brunswick’s schedule for Sept. 11:
Judo
● Start of competitions: Josh Shannon (-66 kilograms).
10-09-13
