News Release

NICE, France (GNB) – Thomas MacCrae of Fredericton won a bronze medal in wrestling (-96 kilograms) today at the VIIth Jeux de la Francophonie, being held in Nice, France.

MacCrae beat Ngom of Senegal 6-2 for the bronze. He lost to a fellow Canadian, Riley Otto, 8-0, in the semi-final, but he defeated Mata Kamalon of the Democratic Congo in the quarter-final.

It was New Brunswick's second medal in as many days in wrestling competitions, with the last two wrestlers scheduled to compete Sept. 10.

''This was not the prettiest combat, but I feel I got the job done today,'' MacCrae said following his win. ''I felt something in my arm, and I knew he was tired. I had to protect my arm, knowing that my cardio was good and it could win it for me. We were of equal strength and he had a large physical body. I knew he did not have the strength to go the full six minutes. This was my first international competition, and even if I wanted the gold, I am happy with my competition.''

Brittany Dillman of Fredericton lost her first wrestling match of the day in the -59 kilogram category against Safietiou Goudiaby of Senegal but said she enjoyed her experience.

Following is Team Canada – New Brunswick’s schedule for Sept. 10:

Wrestling

●    8 a.m.: Shawn Daye-Finley (Fredericton) (-74 kilograms) and Charles Thoms (Fredericton) (-120 kilograms).

Track and field

●    11 a.m.: Adam Gaudes (Fredericton), 800 metres.
●    12:35 p.m.: Réjean Chiasson (Tilley Road), 10,000 metres.

News – literature

●    10 a.m.: Pierre-André Doucet (Moncton).