Samantha Stewart will return home to Canada with a bronze medal rather than a berth at her first Olympics.

The Fredericton resident reached the podium Saturday, defeating Laura Gabriela Peredo Torres of Mexico 10-0 in a 53-kilogram match in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The World Olympic Qualification Tournament is the last opportunity for the 31-year-old and her Canadian teammates to secure quota spots for the Games in Tokyo this summer.

Stewart's Olympic bid&nbsp;ended in Friday's semifinal loss to&nbsp;Andreea Beatrice Ana of Romania. The London, Ont., native earned her way to the final qualifying tourney by winning her weight class at the Canadian trials in December 2019.

Dreams delayed: Fredericton wrestler puts her Olympic goal on hold

Samantha Stewart is delaying her dream of competing at the Olympic games. The Fredericton wrestler had hoped to be in Tokyo this summer, but COVID-19 has brought that to a halt.

Samantha Stewart is short on wrestling partners because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Samantha Stewart

Only 2 Canadian women wrestlers will compete in Tokyo following tough loss for Stewart

Canadian Samantha Stewart, competing in the 53-kilogram weight class, had a tough loss to Andreea Beatrice Ana of Romania in the semifinals at the World Olympic Qualifiers on Friday. The defeat means the wrestler won't be punching her ticket to Tokyo this year. 

Canada's Samantha Stewart fell to opponent Andreea Beatrice Ana of Romania in the final seconds of their semifinal match at the World Olympic Qualifiers on Friday.

Four wrestlers have been named to Team Canada: Danielle Lappage, of Olds, Alta. In women's 68 kg, Erica Wiebe of Stittsville, Ont. (76 kg), Jordan Steen of&nbsp;Tecumseh, Ont. (97 kg)&nbsp;and&nbsp;Amar Dhesi from&nbsp;Surrey, B.C. (125 kg).

Mandy Bujold on being denied Olympic berth by IOC

Canadian Boxer Mandy Bujold speaks with Anastasia Bucsis on how she's feeling after being denied an Olympic berth from the IOC. Arbitration pursuit will be a last-ditch effort for her to obtain entry into Tokyo Games

Fredericton wrestler Samantha Stewart beat Laura Gabriela Peredo Torres of Mexico 10-0 in a 53-kilogram match Saturday in Sofia, Bulgaria, but it wasn’t enough to secure a quota spot for the Tokyo Olympics in July.

Samantha Stewart earns wrestling bronze for Canada at last chance Olympic qualifier

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