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Armand Bernard of Rogersville, inducted to NB Hall of Fame!! |
| Name: |
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Elaine Thompson |
| Date Posted: |
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Mar 15, 07 - 11:55 AM |
| Email: |
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webmaster@wildheartofkent.com |
| Website: |
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http://wildheartofkent.com |
| Message: |
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Armand Bernard of Rogersville, a freestyle wrestler who won the Canadian Championship in 1951, '52, '54 and '56, and represented Canada in the 1952 Olympics. Bernard joins the Sports Hall of Fame in the veterans' category.
Armand Bernard: freestyle wrestling, athlete
Born in Montreal, Armand Bernard's family moved to Rogersville in 1929, when he was just a toddler. Bernard spent his entire childhood in Rogersville. He began his career in freestyle wrestling in 1948 after marrying Alida Caissie (now deceased) and moving to Montreal to pursue employment with Northern Electric. He continued his education by correspondence in order to receive his high-school diploma. Just one year later, in the spring of 1949, the small-town New Brunswicker won his first Quebec provincial novice championship. This was to be the first of many wins.
Bernard competed in matches that were 15 minutes long, unlike today's freestyle wrestling comprised of three two-minute periods, and each match was paid out-of-pocket by the athlete. During the years he competed, Bernard was unable to represent New Brunswick, as wrestling was not yet established in the Atlantic provinces. He therefore continued to compete in the province of Quebec.
From 1951-59, Bernard won a total of eight City of Montreal championships, eight Quebec provincial championships, and four Canadian championships. Excluding 1953 and 1955, when he could not always afford to compete or travel, his wins were consecutive.
In 1952, Bernard earned the right to represent Canada at the Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland, after defeating Mario Crete, who had represented Canada in the previous Olympic Games in 1948 in London, England. Bernard placed seventh overall in the 60-kilogram category.
Bernard retired from national competition in 1957 after losing his first-place national title, and focused more on family life with his wife and five children. After his retirement, Bernard began coaching in Montreal for the next few years before moving to Prince Albert, Sask., where he continued to coach Olympic freestyle wrestling from 1968-73. During this time, he coached student Andy Tashlikovitch to a World Junior Championship win in Edmonton Alta. in 1970.
Bernard returned to New Brunswick in 1983, and worked for six years at the Bathurst Community College, teaching stationary engineering. He continues to make his home in Bathurst. |
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