April 28, 2015 – An important event in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games selection process for Wheelchair Fencing, the Americas Championship wrapped up Tuesday night in Montreal as part of the Défi sportif. Canada’s Ruth Sylvie Morel was a standout at the event, winning gold in Epee and silver in Foil in the A category.

“It’s a very important event in the Rio qualification process,” stated Morel.  “This year this zonal championship does not count for direct qualification but the points are fantastic so that will definitely help my ranking, my morale and my coach’s morale too!”

Morel, who is struggling with a bout of bronchitis and is finding it hard to breathe, slept the night before her event with her gold medal that she won in 2011 in Sao Paolo, Brazil around her neck. The event qualified her for the London 2012 Paralympic Games and it seems to have brought her luck.

“I wanted that gold medal so much I could smell it around my neck and I wasn't taking any excuses from my body,” stated Morel. “I coughed all night long, slept four hours and then I fought hard, winning all of my bouts with only 11 points scored against me in the pool round.”

Morel then defeated American Victoria Espinoza 15-14 in the semi-final and went on to beat USA’s Lauryn de Luca in the final to win gold and her fifth title as North America’s champion in Women’s Epee.

Morel was not happy with her silver medal in Foil on Monday.  “I wanted the gold medal, nothing else,” stated Morel.  “I have been wanting and desiring that elusive gold medal in foil since 1999 and I thought this year was the year.  Once again, I am Vice-Champion for the fifth time.”

Morel finished first overall after pools with a 5-1 record, losing only to Monica Santos from Brazil, who was her eventual challenger for the gold medal in women’s foil.  Santos went on to win gold by a score of 15-8.

On the men’s side, Canadian Matthieu Hébert came away with two bronze medals, one in Men’s Foil A and the other in Men’s Epee A.

Competition continues this weekend with a World Cup event, also taking place as part of the Défi sportif in Montreal.

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