Olympic Taekwondo medallist Karine Sergerie retires
Olympic silver medallist Karine Sergerie has announced her retirement after a career that gave Canada its best showing ever in the sport.
Sergerie has had several hip operations (the last one dating back to January 2013) and suffered from chronic back pain, which was a determining factor in her decision. She has not competed since the 2012 London Games, where she earned a top 8 finish.
In an interview with Radio-Canada’s Marc Durand, she admits going through depression since the fall of 2010, but managed to conceal it from the public eye during a period in which she was stringing together consecutive wins.
An exceptional career
This native of Ste. Catherine, Québec won the silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Games, a Canadian best in Taekwondo at an Olympic Games. In 2007 she became the first Canadian female athlete to win the Taekwondo world title. Earlier that year, she had won gold at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro. Her career was also highlighted by numerous world championship medals in 2003, 2005 and 2011.
A promising future
After all of the trials and tribulations that she endured, Sergerie discovered within herself a strong character and a willingness to help people who will guide her through her career plans, eventually reaching her goal of becoming a doctor.
Flanked by fellow Olympians François Coulombe-Fortier and Sébastien Michaud (above) who also announced their retirement , Sergerie will be honoured for her outstanding career at the opening of the 2014 Canadian Championships this Saturday in Toronto.
