Ana Godinez Gonzalez: “Representing Canada felt like a great privilege”
The freestyle grappler progressed quickly, but it wasn’t until 2019 that she received Canadian citizenship and was able to represent her adopted country.
The decision to wear the Maple Leaf in international competition was not a difficult one for us.
“We learned about the sport in Canada and trained in Canada, so it felt right,” said the 62kg competitor.
Since then, Godinez has built an impressive resume that includes wins Gold and bronze at the U23 World Championships, Silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, And two Pan American Championship titles.
**“**Representing Canada for the first time felt unreal,” she said. “I was there all week and was in game day mode, even if it wasn’t a game day, because I just wanted to win.
“I still couldn’t believe I was there for Canada. In Mexico we talked about Canada at the highest level, as if it were another planet. The fact that I represented Canada felt like a great privilege and still is.
“Wrestling made me travel around the world and I didn’t know there was so much of it to see.”
Today Godinez travels with him around the world Sister Karla Who is also a National team member with 55 kgwhile eldest sister Lupita is a mixed martial artist who competes Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
“Gamer. Introvert. Problem solver. Creator. Thinker. Lifelong food evangelist. Alcohol advocate.”