Jolan Wong nee Brunner who grew up in Vermilion is currently competing in Lima, Peru at the Para Pan American Games that run from August 23 – September 1. She has been playing Sitting Volleyball with the national team for 11 years and so far has competed at two world championships (Oklahoma 2010, Netherlands 2018), two Para Pan American Games (Toronto 2015, Lima 2019), and was the team captain at one Paralympic Games (Rio 2016). Her training, followed by the trip to Peru has kept Wong busy. In July, she drove from Ontario to Edmonton to train full - time with the National Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team and in addition attended the Vermilion Fair. Wong trained together with her team for three weeks in order to prepare for the Para Pan American Games. “Our team is ranked 6th in the world after an impressive 7th place finish at the World Championships last summer. Placing ahead of Peru and Brazil will give us a ticket to the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Our biggest challenge at these games will be placing ahead of Brazil, which is a challenge we are ready to conquer,” said Wong. She went on to say that travelling to games all around the world is something most of her team members have plenty of experience with and they are really good at adapting to any situation they are faced with. She also noted that being in an athlete’s village full of Para athletes is “beyond inspiring”. “Seeing people overcome and persevere through the cards that they’ve been dealt to represent their country on a world stage is phenomenal. I’m truly honoured to be able to wear the maple leaf while following my passion,” said Wong.
