TIRANA, ALBAINA — Kicking off her 2024/25 season in style, fourth-year Panda Vianne Rouleau captured a silver medal at the 2024 U23 World Wrestling Championship. 

Rouleau earned wins over Amendola (Italy), Gao (China), and Radzkova (Independent Neutral Athlete) in the first three rounds of the 72kg weight class, before eventually succumbing to American Renee Welker in the final. Rouleau is the first Bear or Panda to podium at a world championship in over two decades. 

"That was the best I have ever seen Vianne wrestle," said UofA head coach Owen Dawkins. "She was dominant and wrestled with great confidence. I am very excited to see what the future holds for her." 

The fourth-year science student is the defending Canada West and U SPORTS Champion in the 72kg weight class. She also captured a Canada West gold in the 76kg class in 2022 and 2023, and a U SPORTS silver in 2023. 

Rouleau was joined in Albania by UofA teammates Aidan Stevenson and Taran Goring, as well as Pandas alumnae Aleah Nickel. 

The Pandas lone home event will take place on January 10th and 11th, as they host the Golden Bears Invitational in the Main Gym. 

 

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