Port Moody's Ivett Gonda gave Canada a literal kick-start on Saturday's opening day at the Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Gonda grabbed the country its first gold medal at the Games after handling Lizbeth Julissa Diez Canseco of Peru 13-6 in the women's under-49 kg division of taekwondo, including out-pointing her 8-1 in a final round that featured a decisive roundhouse kick to the head.
"I was just waiting for the right moment," Gonda told The Canadian Press. "Sometimes it comes together. Getting the first gold medal [for Canada] on Day 1, I can't ask for more. It's great."
In the semifinals, Gonda posted an 8-3 victory over Deiranne Estephany Morales of the U.S. after having whipped Carolena Carstens of Panama 11-4 in the quarter-finals.
The 25-year-old Gonda was born in Hungary and moved to Canada at age 4. She has won several international competitions, including claiming bronze at the 2007 Pan Ams in Brazil, and is a two-time Olympian who placed fifth in Athens in 2004.
SALLING A HIT
Shortstop Jennifer Salling of Port Coquitlam and her Canadian senior women's national softball team are looking to challenge for top spot this week at the Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Salling lashed a run-scoring single as Canada opened play Tuesday with a 10-2 five-inning win over Puerto Rico. Canada has won three consecutive silvers at the Games.
