The excitement across Canada was palpable this weekend as sports fans were treated to significant events showcasing both the thrilling conclusion of the CFL season and the impressive performances by Canadian athletes on the international stage. The Grey Cup, the jewel of Canadian football, delivered drama, unexpected heroes, and another twist for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Meanwhile, Canadian speed skaters soared to new heights at international competitions, reinforcing their status as winter sports powerhouses.
On Sunday, the Toronto Argonauts stunned the heavily favored Winnipeg Blue Bombers with a remarkable 41-24 victory at the Grey Cup held at BC Place Stadium. Backup quarterback Nick Arbuckle played the game of his life, throwing for 252 yards and securing two touchdowns. Remarkably, Arbuckle earned the Grey Cup MVP title. He entered the game as the starter only due to the unfortunate ankle injury of the Argonauts' usual quarterback Chad Kelly. Arbuckle’s performance was nothing short of heroic, showcasing resilience and determination. His unexpected ascension to the MVP spotlight encapsulated all the unpredictability associated with playoffs.
Argonauts’ receiver Dejon Brissett, brother of NBA player Oshae Brissett, had his own outstanding moment, being named the top Canadian player of the game after catching five passes for 45 yards, including one touchdown. Meanwhile, the Argonauts' defense was relentless, intercepting Bombers’ quarterback Zach Collaros four times—a staggering achievement against the former CFL Most Outstanding Player.
This loss marks the Bombers' third consecutive Grey Cup defeat, making them the first team to achieve such a dubious honor since the Montreal Alouettes from 1954 to 1956. The Bombers had previously boasted championship prowess, so the recent string of disappointing finishes has left fans baffled and wondering what changes may be needed for the squad.
Parallel to the football excitement, Canada's long track speed skaters were racking up medals at the Four Continents Championships, which also took place over the weekend. Competing on the ice of Japan, Canadian athletes showcased why they are among the elite winter sports competitors worldwide. They ended the event with 12 medals, including three gold, leading the standings for non-European nations.
Ivanie Blondin emerged as one of the stars of the event, adding two gold medals and two bronze to her collection. Blondin clinched gold in the women's mass start event, reflecting her continued excellence after winning two medals at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. She was also part of the victorious Canadian women's team sprint, showcasing her versatility and teamwork,“I feel like I’m skating technicallybetter this year, like something is just clicking, kind of like I’m back to where I was in 2019 when I hadthat really incredible year,” Blondin shared, signaling her focus and determination for the upcoming season.
While Canadians celebrated their skaters' triumphs, the event also produced noteworthy performances from Graeme Fish, who won gold for the men's 5,000m race, and Laurent Dubreuil, praised for winning three medals across various distances. This display of talent is inspiring for budding athletes across the nation.
Meanwhile, the weekend wasn’t devoid of heartbreak. At the Billie Jean King Cup finals held in Spain, the Canadian women’s tennis team, after previously tasting victory, faced difficulties as they were swept by Great Britain 2-0. The loss was surprising, especially after having secured the championship title for the first time the previous year. Rebecca Marino and Leylah Fernandez both dropped their matches, creating frustration among fans as the team failed to progress past the quarterfinals.
Adding to the mixed weekend of Canadian sports, on the soccer front, the Canadian men’s team had success with their national team, sneaking past Suriname with a 1-0 victory. Junior Hoilett scored the game-winning goal late, solidifying their chances of advancing to the CONCACAF Nations League Finals if they can replicate this positive performance during the return leg planned for Toronto.
Canadian boxing fans had their moments of elation as well, witnessing Lucas Bahdi retain his undefeated status with a majority decision victory over Italy’s Armando Casamonica on the undercard of the much-publicized Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight. Bahdi displayed maturity and skill, now sporting an impressive 18-0 record. The Tyson vs. Paul main event attracted attention but fell flat for critics who deemed the match underwhelming compared to Bahdi's performance.
Peter Groseclose, the young Filipino-American speed skater, also entered the history books over the weekend. Just 17 years old, he became the first Filipino athlete to medal at the ISU Junior World Cup, winning bronze in the 500-meter final. Groseclose registered an impressive time of 41.73 seconds, surpassing his previous year’s performance. His achievements are seen as monumental for the Philippines, highlighting potential growth for the nation’s winter sports aspirations.
While the Grey Cup may have been the highlight of the weekend, it wasn’t the sole story of triumph and excitement. Canadians are eager for more stories, whether from the ice, the pitch, or the field. The blend of unexpected victories and hard-fought challenges characterizes the Canadian sports scene as we look forward to more thrilling competitions and stories yet to be told.
