By RYAN PYETTE -- Winnipeg Sun
SYDNEY -- Father and daughter sat together on a small patch of grass outside the State Sports Centre.
Daughter wasn't pleased.
Manitoba's Dominique Bosshart just lost her shot at taekwondo Olympic gold or silver to Russian Natalia Ivanova, and bronze was looking bleak because she would be fighting Venezuelan Adriana Carmona, who she had never beaten, in the repechage.
Just trying to be Dad
"Dad, I trained so hard for this," said Dominique. "I put so much effort into this. What am I going to do?"
This was not a strategy session. Henry Bosshart is a pretty laid-back guy, and he knew better than to try to coach his 22-year-old daughter.
But at this Olympic moment, one he'd remember forever, he was just trying to be Dad.
So he figured he better say something.
"Domo, just do your best," he said. "Have fun. Don't hesitate out there. Anything can happen."
And by the end of the night, it did.
"She was always a real tomboy growing up," said Henry. "She had no fear. She never backed down from a challenge."
When she was 13, her younger brother David dragged her to taekwondo class with him.
"He wanted to try a sport other than the usual hockey or baseball," laughed Dominique, "so he begged me to come along."
It was a time, said the bronze medallist, when she needed an outlet for her endless energy.
"I drove a lot of teachers crazy in Grade 7 and 8," smiled Dominique. "But I've found my release. I just hope they'll forgive me now."
Her father smiled at the memory.
"We were never worried about her, but this is a rough sport," said Henry. You run your hand over her shin, it's like a sprocket. It's horrible, with all the splints, and she has bumps and bruises all over.
"But she loves to fight, and I'm proud because of the way she handled herself.
"She didn't hesitate. She did everything she could out there."
He paused.
"All I know," he continued, looking around the packed State Centre arena, "is that every person in here got their money's worth when she fought."
Warrior spirit
On a night of cautious 2-1 and 3-0 matches, Bosshart chalked up scores of 5-4, 9-8, and 11-8.
No fighter, except for the Aussies, received a louder roar than Bosshart. They appreciated the Canadian's pluck and warrior spirit.
She was easily the most electrifying combatant.
"I just can't be a counter-fighter," she said. "I have to go forward, go for the point. That's when I'm at my best."
Saturday night, she was at her absolute best. And her best was good enough for a medal.
The 22-year-old will now holiday at Port Douglas, Australia, before returning to Winnipeg on Sept. 11 with her bronze medal.
VITAL STATS
- Date of Birth: Oct. 7, 1977
- Place: Morge, Switzerland
- Height: 5-foot-10
- Weight: 170 lbs. (77 kg)
- Home town: Landmark
- Resides: Winnipeg
- Club: Kang's Taekwondo Academy (Winnipeg)
- Eight-time Canadian champion (1993-2000)
- Mom: Regula; Dad: Henry
