Canadian Roundup: Another LPGA title and more podium finishes
With only 32 days to the start of Rio 2016, Team Canada athletes continue to succeed on the international stage.
From a worlds medal in mountain bike to another LPGA golf title, check out this weekend’s highlights.
Golf
Read: Henderson wins third career title in Portland
Brooke Henderson won another trophy, capturing her third LPGA career victory. The 18-year-old shot one-under-par on the final day, to defend her Portland Classic title on Sunday. Henderson who is only in her first year on the pro tour, has already earned a qualification spot at Rio 2016.
Mountain Bike
Read: Batty battles for worlds bronze in wild finish
Emily Batty won bronze at the mountain bike UCI world cross-country championships in Czech Republic on Saturday. The 2015 Pan Am champion‘s final sprint from fourth, landed her a spot on her first world podium. Batty’s Olympic teammate Catherine Pendrel finished fifth, giving Canada two strong contenders in women’s mountain bike competition at Rio 2016.
Beach Volleyball
Read: Pavan/Bansley earn silver at Porec Major
Read: Saxton/Schalk claim beach bronze
It was a big weekend on the beach volleyball courts with two Canadian teams reaching the Portec Major podium in Croatia. On Saturday, Heather Bansley and Sarah Pavan won silver for the second straight year, in what Bansley called her “favourite tournament” on Instagram. Ben Saxton and Chaim Schalk also found the podium after winning the bronze medal match against Latvians Aleksandrs Samoilovs and Janis Smedins.
Tennis
Read: Fourth round of Wimbledon awaits Raonic
Milos Raonic in the third round of Wimbledon on July 2, 2016.
Canadian tennis stars are currently in London for Wimbledon, one of the biggest tennis tournaments. Milos Raonic, who was named to Team Canada last week, defeated Vasek Pospisil’s American doubles partner, Jack Sock to advance to the fourth round. While Raonic is the only Canadian in the singles tournament, Daniel Nestor and Pospisil remain in the doubles competition.
Badminton
Michelle Li of Markham, Ont. was the gold medalist in badminton finals play at the PanAmerican Games in Markham, Ont. Photo by Mike Ridewood
Rio qualified Michelle Li won the Canada Open stop on the Grand Prix circuit. The Canadian defeated American Iris Wang in the semifinals, before a walkover against Beiwen Zhang of the United States awarded her the gold medal.
Volleyball
Read: Canada suffers first FIVB World League loss
Canada’s Graham Vigrass (No. 17) and Rudy Verhoeff (No. 5) in action against Finland on July 3, 2016 at the FIVB World League tournament in Finland. (Photo: FIVB)
Canada’s Olympic bound men’s volleyball team won its World League group on Sunday, despite a loss to hosts Finland. Canada fell 3-2 (25-22, 18-25, 25-20, 21-25, 15-13) after a close final set. The squad will head to the final four in Portugal, where the winner will move into Group One in next year’s competition.
Basketball
Read: Canada roster for men’s Olympic basketball qualifier released
Tristan Thompson goes up for a dunk in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 10, 2016.
Canada Basketball released its roster for the nation’s last shot at clinching an Olympic berth this summer. Standouts on the team include Tristian Thompson, who won the NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers. While Anthony Bennett and Toronto Raptor Cory Joseph will return to Canada’s roster.
