Wrestler settles for silver

Usually, a silver medal is reason to celebrate.
But to a perfectionist like Ohenewa Akuffo, there was little reason to celebrate after winning a silver medal in women’s wrestling at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro on yesterday.
Taking on Kristie Marano from the United States in the gold medal match in the 72 kilogram weight class, the Brampton resident, who got her start in the sport while attending Malton’s Ascension of Our Lord Secondary School, was pinned in the first round.
“I’m disappointed because second is not what I wanted. I was up on points, and I got caught,” said the 28-year-old. “It’s a learning experience, and anything that doesn’t break me will make me stronger.”
Akuffo will now turn her attention to the world championships.
Akuffo said she would rather get the kinks out in Rio than at the worlds in Azerbaijan, where the top eight in each division will qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
“This is a great competition, but it doesn't qualify me for the Olympics and the world championships will. I will take this and then it’s building a plan over the next few weeks.”
Akuffo was born and lived in Toronto until she was three when the family moved to Accra Ghana, West Africa. The family returned to Canada five years later and lived in Malton.
When Akuffo first attended Ascension, a friend introduced her to wrestling, and she was hooked. Soon, Akuffo was also wrestling with the Mississauga-based Matmen Wrestling Club.
Akuffo concluded her high school education at St. Augustine, when the family moved to Brampton. She later attended McMaster and York University, and now takes her courses electronically while training at the University of Guelph National Training Centre.

dwiner@mississauga.net