South Surrey sisters Ana and Karla Godinez Gonzalez claim gold for Canada on the opening day of the Pan-Am Women’s Wrestling Championships.
Golden Glory: Godinez Gonzalez Sisters Strike Gold for Canada
A Double Victory for Canada and South Surrey
South Surrey’s pride soared on Friday as wrestling sisters Ana and Karla Godinez Gonzalez delivered back-to-back gold medal wins at the 2024 Pan-American Women’s Wrestling Championships. Their victories marked a spectacular start for Team Canada and highlighted a powerful sibling story on the international stage.
The Earl Marriott Secondary School alumni dominated their respective weight classes, securing two of Canada’s four medals on the opening day of competition.
Ana Godinez Gonzalez: A Triumphant Return
For Ana, competing in the 62-kg category, the championship marked a powerful comeback to international wrestling. She stormed through the round robin with decisive wins — 11-0 over Mexico’s Melanie Jimenez and 10-0 over Ecuador’s Leonela Gruezo.
In the semifinal, Ana pinned American Savannah Cosme to advance to the final, where she claimed gold with another fall over Venezuela’s Astrid Montero.
“It felt great to just get back on the mats,” Ana said, celebrating her third Pan-Am gold. “Winning on the same day as Karla was also great. I knew she would win!”
Karla Godinez Gonzalez: Perfect Performance in 55 kg
Karla matched her sister’s momentum in the 55-kg weight class, starting strong with a 10-0 win over Mexico’s Andrea Avelino. She followed it up with an 11-0 triumph against Brazil’s Geisa Raphael.
Facing American Louisa Schwab in the final — the only other unbeaten competitor — Karla was unstoppable, not conceding a single point as she secured a 10-0 victory and the gold.
“I felt that I did what I had been working on, so I am proud of that,” said Karla. “But I was even more nervous watching Ana. When she won, I was so happy because it meant we both won gold.”
Sisters in Strength: A Shared Legacy
Both sisters train out of Burnaby Mountain Wrestling Club and have competed extensively on the global stage. Their shared Pan-Am victories not only showcase their individual talent but also reinforce the strength of Canada’s wrestling program.
The championships continue with the remaining women’s matches and the start of the men’s freestyle bouts.
Sibling Power Propels Canada Forward
Ana and Karla Godinez Gonzalez have proven that family, focus, and fierce determination can lead to golden outcomes. As Canada continues its journey through the Pan-Am Wrestling Championships, their wins set the tone for national pride and global recognition.
