Tecumseh, Ont., wrestler qualifies for her 1st Olympics — says it could be her 'last hurrah'
Linda Morais, 30, says she's ready to grind in her training ahead of the Paris games
Calling it most likely her last hurrah, Tecumseh's Linda Morais says she's ready to grind, leading up to her first Olympics in Paris this summer.
The wrestler, who's now 30, won a world championship five years ago.
This past weekend, she qualified for the Olympics after capturing a bronze medal in Turkey. She beat a Romanian grappler in the women's 68-kilogram weight class.
Morais arrived back home in southwestern Ontario Monday, and says it's slowly sinking in what she's accomplished and what lies ahead.
"I had a whole bunch of people greet me at the airport, and … it just feels incredible," she told CBC Radio's Windsor Morning host Amy Dodge.
"This is a dream I've had for as long as I can remember."
WATCH | Tecumseh, Ont. wrestler qualifies for her first Olympics:
According to Morais, the path she took while at the qualifying event was the "hardest way" to achieve her dream of finally making it to an Olympics.
"It was really the last spot. There's only 16 athletes in my weight class that go to the Olympics, and there's a whole bunch of countries fighting for those 16 spots."
She says the competition was stiff with two of the wrestlers she fought already having won bronze medals.
"These are very tough women to compete against. I do believe in my abilities. I know I can do it. It all depends on my mindset. The day of, I just had a winning mindset."
WATCH | Morais won a world championship five years ago:
It's that mental grind that Morais says reigns supreme in the sport.
"All of us, we're all super strong. Everyone's got great technique at that level. They're quick, and it all depends on who is mentally prepared on that day for that six minutes."
The path to Paris has been a long one for Morais, who got "hooked" on wrestling in Grade 8.
"We had an open house that my high school saw. My dad actually walked into the wrestling room, and right away, he got so excited he came and found me in the school. He's like, 'Linda, this is a sport you need to try.' He always thought I was a strong little girl."
Morais says she saw success early on, but that made her path "super tough" to handle over the long term.
"Looking back, I did not think I would make it until now. I'm 30 years old, still competing. This is most likely my last hurrah here. There are so many times throughout my career that I wanted to stop. Really, it's thanks to my coaches … who kind of pushed me along, and they refused to let me give up and quit. It's incredible that I made it this far thanks to their support."
The last Essex County wrestler to make it to the Olympics was David Tremblay at the London games 12 years ago.
Tremblay and his father have had a connection to Morais' training over the years, too.
"Very involved. His dad was actually my high school coach. Man he's a huge mentor. A big reason why I went to Montreal and pursued wrestling at the senior level."
She says David also wrestled in Montreal — where she's been training for years — and saw him prepare for his own Olympic journey.
"Super inspiring. David's always giving me some great advice and feedback. He's telling me to just enjoy this moment. And he's right. You just got to take it all in right now."
Morais says she plans to take the next week or so off the mat to recharge.
"Some active recovery, some fun activities. Stay moving, but then when I go back to Montreal, it's going to be back to the grind. The usual routine, morning practice, evening practices and just grinding it out until the Olympics."
LISTEN | Tecumseh woman qualifies to wrestle at Paris Olympics:
