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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Mayor honours athletes

By: Ashley Prest

14/05/2009 1:33 PM | Comments: 1

Mayor Sam Katz presented the Mayor’s Award for Sports Excellence to Olivia ‘The Predator’ Gerula a WBC Super Feather Weight World Champion and Chris Sobkowicz, a Team Canada Wheelchair Curling Champion for winning gold in the World Wheelchair Curling Championships.

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Mayor Sam Katz presented the Mayor’s Award for Sports Excellence to Olivia ‘The Predator’ Gerula a WBC Super Feather Weight World Champion and Chris Sobkowicz, a Team Canada Wheelchair Curling Champion for winning gold in the World Wheelchair Curling Championships. (WAYNE.GLOWACKI@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)

WINNIPEG — Mayor Sam Katz lauded the "grit and determination" of two Winnipeg athletes this morning at a special ceremony at City Hall honouring champion boxer Olivia Gerula and wheelchair curler Chris Sobkowicz.

The two athletes were presented with the Mayor's Award for Sports Excellence medals and certificates.

"These two athletes are Winnipeggers who have won gold in recognized world championships sporting events," Katz said. "We are very proud of your individual accomplishments."

The 30-year-old Gerula, whose boxing moniker is "The Predator," became the World Boxing Council super featherweight world champion on April 9 in Edmonton when she earned a 10-round unanimous decision.

Sobkowicz, 55, was a member of Canada's national wheelchair curling team which won the first ever gold medal for Canada on Feb. 28 at the 2009 World Wheelchair Curling Championship in Vancouver.

Gerula, who called her son Cedric, 12, and daughter Sydney, eight, her "greatest accomplishments," shared an inspirational message which she said helped guide her during months of intense training leading up to earning the WBA belt.

"Always follow your dreams and most importantly, enjoy the road along the way," Gerula said.

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca

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Congratulations Olivia!

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