Two wrestling sisters from South Surrey gave golden performances on women's wrestling opening day at the Pan-American Championships Friday (May 9).

Earl Marriott Secondary alumni Ana and Karla Godinez Gonzalez both won the gold medal in their respective weight classes, with the two gold medals highlighting a four-medal performance by Canadian wrestlers during the day, noted the Wrestling Canada Lutte website.

Both sisters, who train out of Burnaby Mountain WC, have a on the international stage. Ana, who competes in the 62-kilogram category, began in a round robin with an 11-0 win over Melanie Jimenez of Mexico, the WCL site said. Next, she beat Leonela Gruezo of Ecuador 10-0, which advanced her to the semifinal, where she met American Savannah Cosme.

Ana had another strong showing, "winning by fall to punch her ticket to the finals," where she matched up with Astrid Montero of Venezuela, earning another fall to claim the gold.

Karla won her gold medal competing in the 55-kg category, also starting in a round robin, opening with a 10-0 win over Andrea Avelino of Mexico.

"She continued to dominate in her second-round match, picking up an 11-0 win over Geisa Raphael of Brazil," noted WCL.

In the final, Karla met American Louisa Schwab, a competitor who had also beaten the other two competitors in the weight class, but Karla finished the tournament without conceding a point, winning the gold 10-0.

鈥淚t has been a while since I wrestled international and just in general,鈥� said Ana in the WCL post, when asked about winning her third senior Pan-Am Championship. 鈥淚t felt great to just get back on the mats. Winning on the same day as Karla was also great, I knew she would win!鈥�

Karla also happy for her sister, and pleased to take home the gold medal.

鈥淲inning this Pan-Am Championship felt good,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 felt that I did what I had been working on, so I am proud of that. I am also so happy for Ana. She had a tight match in the finals, and I got a little nervous. I get more nervous watching her than competing myself, so when she won, I was so happy because it meant we had both won gold.鈥�

The remaining women鈥檚 wrestling weight classes were set for Saturday, as well as the first three men鈥檚 freestyle, according to WCL.