Carol Huynh
Encyclopedia
Carol Huynh is a Canadian
freestyle
wrestler
. Her parents are ethnic Chinese in Vietnam (her father was born in China, but moved to Vietnam when he was three; her mother was born in Vietnam). Born in British Columbia
, her parents were refugees from Vietnam
who settled in the town of New Hazelton, British Columbia
, after being sponsored by the local United Church
. Coming from a wrestling family, where both of her sisters wrestled, she started wrestling at 15. She started studies at Simon Fraser University
in 1998, then moved to the University of Calgary
in 2007. Huynh married Dan Biggs, a social worker and former wrestler, in 2005. She is coached by Paul Ragusa, former National team member and Olympian, as well as Leigh Vierling, husband of former World Champion Christine Nordhagen.
She competed in the 48 kg weight class at the 2008 Summer Olympics
, winning a gold medal. She is the second ever female medalist for Canada in Olympic wrestling, after Tonya Verbeek
, the 2004 Athens freestyle silver medalist. Huynh was the first gold medalist in women's wrestling for Canada.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
freestyle
Freestyle wrestling
Freestyle wrestling is a style of amateur wrestling that is practised throughout the world. Along with Greco-Roman, it is one of the two styles of wrestling contested in the Olympic games. It is, along with track and field, one of the oldest organized sports in history...
wrestler
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
. Her parents are ethnic Chinese in Vietnam (her father was born in China, but moved to Vietnam when he was three; her mother was born in Vietnam). Born in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, her parents were refugees from Vietnam
Boat people
Boat people is a term that usually refers to refugees, illegal immigrants or asylum seekers who emigrate in numbers in boats that are sometimes old and crudely made...
who settled in the town of New Hazelton, British Columbia
New Hazelton, British Columbia
New Hazelton is a community on Highway 16 in northwest British Columbia, Canada. It is situated east of Terrace and west of Smithers and in 2006 had a population of 627 people...
, after being sponsored by the local United Church
United Church of Canada
The United Church of Canada is a Protestant Christian denomination in Canada. It is the largest Protestant church and, after the Roman Catholic Church, the second-largest Christian church in Canada...
. Coming from a wrestling family, where both of her sisters wrestled, she started wrestling at 15. She started studies at Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University is a Canadian public research university in British Columbia with its main campus on Burnaby Mountain in Burnaby, and satellite campuses in Vancouver and Surrey. The main campus in Burnaby, located from downtown Vancouver, was established in 1965 and has more than 34,000...
in 1998, then moved to the University of Calgary
University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1966 the U of C is composed of 14 faculties and more than 85 research institutes and centres.More than 25,000 undergraduate and 5,500 graduate students are currently...
in 2007. Huynh married Dan Biggs, a social worker and former wrestler, in 2005. She is coached by Paul Ragusa, former National team member and Olympian, as well as Leigh Vierling, husband of former World Champion Christine Nordhagen.
She competed in the 48 kg weight class at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
, winning a gold medal. She is the second ever female medalist for Canada in Olympic wrestling, after Tonya Verbeek
Tonya Verbeek
Tonya Verbeek is a Canadian wrestler.-Sports career:She was born in Grimsby, Ontario. She took up wrestling in grade eleven and was undefeated throughout high school in Beamsville, Ontario. She trains at Brock University in St...
, the 2004 Athens freestyle silver medalist. Huynh was the first gold medalist in women's wrestling for Canada.
Competition Record
| Competition | Event | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Pan Am | 48 kg Freestyle (female) | Gold | |
| 2010 Commonwealth games 2010 Commonwealth Games The 2010 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XIX Commonwealth Games, were held in Delhi, India, from 3 to 14 October 2010. A total of 6,081 athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and dependencies competed in 21 sports and 272 events, making it the largest Commonwealth Games till date... |
48 kg Freestyle (female) | Gold | |
| 2008 Summer Olympics 2008 Summer Olympics The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events... |
48 kg Freestyle (female) | Gold | First Canadian to win a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. |
| 2008 Canada Cup | withdrew | The Canadian women's Olympic wrestling team were slated to compete, but withdrew to rest up for the Olympics. The Canada Cup is a mandatory event in non-Olympic years. | |
| 2008 Canadian Olympic trials | 48 kg Freestyle (female) | 1st | Carol Huynh wins a spot on the Olympic team against Erica Sharp |
| 2007 FILA 2007 FILA Wrestling World Championships The 2007 FILA Wrestling World Championships were held at the Heydar Aliyev Sport & Exhibition Complex in Baku, Azerbaijan. The event took place from September 17 to September 23, 2007.-Medal table:-Team ranking:-Men's freestyle:-Men's Greco-Roman:... Senior World Championships |
48 kg Freestyle (female) | 5th | Carol Huynh lost the bronze medal match 3-4, 4-1, 1-1 to Mayelis Caripa-Castillo |
| 2007 Pan Am | 48 kg Freestyle (female) | Gold | |
| 2006 Canadian senior wrestling championships | 48 kg women | Champion | |
| 2006 CIS | Champion | ||
| 2006 FILA 2006 FILA Wrestling World Championships The 2006 FILA Wrestling World Championships were held at the Tianhe Sports Center in Guangzhou, China. The event took place from September 25 to October 1, 2006.-Medal table:-Team ranking:-Men's freestyle:-Men's Greco-Roman:-Women's freestyle:... Senior World Championships |
5th | ||
| 2006 World Cup | 48 kg Freestyle (female) | Silver | |
| 2006 Canada Cup | 2nd | ||
| 2006 Golden Grand Prix | 1st | ||
| 2006 Kiev International | 1st | ||
| 2005 Canadian senior wrestling championships | 48 kg women | Champion | |
| 2005 FILA 2005 FILA Wrestling World Championships The 2005 FILA Wrestling World Championships were held at the Budapest Sports Arena in Budapest, Hungary. The event took place from September 26 to October 2, 2005.-Medal table:-Team ranking:-Men's freestyle:-Men's Greco-Roman:-Women's freestyle:... Senior World Championships |
48 kg Freestyle (female) | Bronze | |
| 2005 Universiade | Gold | (University World Championships) | |
| World Cup 2004 | 48 kg Freestyle (female) | Bronze | |
| 2004 Canadian Olympic trials | 2nd | Carol Huynh was an alternate for the wrestling contingent at the 2004 Olympics. She had finished second to Lyndsay Belisle. At the time, she was ranked #1 at 48 kg in NAIA National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA... and CIS Canadian Interuniversity Sport Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada, comprising the majority of degree granting universities in the country. Its equivalent body for organized sports at colleges in Canada is The Canadian Colleges Athletic Association... rankings. |
|
| 2003 Canadian senior wrestling championships | Champion | ||
| 2003 World Cup | 44 kg | Bronze | |
| 2002 Canadian senior wrestling championships | Champion | ||
| 2002 NAIA | 48 kg women | Champion | Carol Huynh was also the tournament MVP, and came out of it ranked #1 in CIS and NAIA rankings. |
| 2002 FILA 2002 FILA Wrestling World Championships The following are the final results of the 2002 FILA Wrestling World Championships. The Men's Freestyle Competition was held in Tehran, Iran, while the Men's Greco-Roman Competition was staged in Moscow, Russia and the Women's Competition in Chalcis, Greece.... Senior World Championships |
44 kg Freestyle (female) | 5th | |
| 2001 FILA 2001 FILA Wrestling World Championships The following is the final results of the 2001 FILA Wrestling World Championships. Freestyle competition were held in Sofia, Bulgaria and Greco-Roman competition were held in Patras, Greece.-Medal table:-Team ranking:- Men's freestyle:... Senior World Championships |
46 kg Freestyle (female) | Silver | |
| 2000 FILA 2000 FILA Wrestling World Championships -Medal table:-Team ranking:-Women's freestyle:-References:*... Senior World Championships |
46 kg Freestyle (female) | Bronze | |
| 2000 Junior Worlds | 46 kg (female) | 9th | |
| 1999 Junior Worlds | 46 kg (female) | 7th | |
See also
- CISCIAUThe letters CIAU may mean any of the following:* CIAU-FM 103.1, a radio station in Radisson, Quebec* An acronym for "Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union", now known as Canadian Interuniversity Sport...
- NAIANational Association of Intercollegiate AthleticsThe National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...