Returning to the women’s national water polo team proved to be a silver lining for Burnaby’s Jakie Kohli.
The Moscrop Secondary grad shared a silver medal in the pool with the Canadian team, following a 13-4 loss to the United States in the championship final of the Toronto Pan Am Games on July 14.
“Yeah, I’m really glad (I came back). It was pretty big. It was my first (competition) at such a high level. It’s a lot different in Canada, winning it before a home crowd – definitely a lot of pride there,” said Kohli. “It was pretty great, being home in Canada made it special.”
The second-place medal marked the first water polo medal of the Games for Canada. The men’s team won a bronze medal behind the U.S. and Brazil a day later.
After a successful collegiate career on an athletic scholarship at Indiana University, Kohli semi-retired from the national program and took time off in 2013 to travel to Australia to work and play in the international pro-league Down Under.
Back in Canada, a friend convinced her to give the national team another try.
Kohli was given an invitation to a two-week camp last summer and the new women’s head coach apparently liked what she saw.
The 25-year-old Kohli was used sparingly in Canada’s opening 7-7 draw with Brazil, but scored a goal on the counter attack from her centre-back position in a 15-4 victory over Venezuela in group play. She also tallied a late marker in Canada’s 14-7 win over Cuba in the semifinals.
Canada must still qualify for the Summer Olympics.
“The ultimate goal is Rio,” said Kohli.
The Canadian women will likely have to earn a berth to the Olympics through the European zone along with the United States.
But meeting the U.S. again in a qualifying tournament is not a concern, said Kohli.
“Our team has kind of been in a slump. It was not our best tournament,” she said.
