Canada’s Maude Charron earned a silver in the 59-kilogram weightlifting class at the Paris Olympics, while Skylar Park won bronze in the 57-kilogram class of women’s taekwondo on Aug. 8.
As well, volleyball duo Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson have gold in their sights heading into the finals.
Charron, from Rimouski, Que., was also the flag bearer for Team Canada during the 2024 Opening Ceremony.
In Charron’s final attempt, she tried to lift 132 kilograms (291 pounds). Although she hefted the barbell to her shoulders, she couldn’t complete the jerk portion of the lift and fell backward to the floor.
Her 236 kilogram (520 pound) total, matched the Canadian record she set in March.
China’s Luo Shifang took gold, setting an Olympic record with a 241 kilogram (531 pound) total. Kuo Hsing-Chun of Taipei was awarded the bronze for her total of 235 kilograms (518 pounds).
Charron first won gold in the 64 kilogram lift event during her Olymic debut in Toyko in 2020.
Charron becomes the second Canadian weightlifter to win two Olympic medals. Christine Girard won both a gold at the 2012 games in London and bronze during the 2008 games in Beijing.
Charron won bronze at the IWF World Cup in March 2024 after lifting 236 kilograms (520 pounds), the same total as she did for the Olympic gold.
At the 2022 Commonwealth Games, she also won gold, setting records in the 64 kilogram event for the snatch portion at 101 kilograms, (223 pounds), and the clean and jerk at 130 kilograms, (287 pounds), for a total of 231 kilograms, (509 pounds).
To earn her own medal, Canada’s Park defeated Laeticia Aoun of Lebanon in the 57-kilogram class of women’s taekwondo.
Canada Volleyball Pair Aim for Gold
The beach volleyball team of Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson won two out of three sets against their Swiss competitors, advancing the Canadians to the gold medal final.The Swiss team, Tanja Hueberli and Nina Brunner, won the first set 21-14. However, the Canadians fought back in the second set, winning 22-20.
