Nikita
Ens

Nikita Ens, a Canadian Para swimmer, has been selected to represent Canada at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, marking her second appearance at the Paralympic Games. Ens has an inspiring journey marked by resilience and determination following a life-changing accident.

Ens became a C5 paraplegic after a vehicle collision in February 2014. Before her accident, she was active in sports, earning a provincial track and field championship in shot put and cycling across Canada to raise money for charity. She returned to swimming in 2017, connecting with the Saskatoon Lasers Swim Club, which reignited her athletic career.

Her performance at international competitions has been impressive. At the 2023 Para Swimming World Championships in Manchester, Ens (S3) finished fifth in the 50-metre breaststroke SB2, eighth in the 150-metre individual medley SM3, sixth in the 50-metre backstroke S3, fifth in the 200-metre freestyle S3, and eighth in the 100-metre freestyle S3​​​​.

In 2022, she captured a silver medal in the 200-metre freestyle S3 at the World Para Swimming Championships in Madeira and broke the Canadian record in the 50-metre backstroke S3, finishing fourth. She also placed fifth in both the 50-metre breaststroke SB2 and the 150-metre individual medley SM3, and sixth in the 100-metre freestyle S3​​​​.

At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Ens achieved personal best times in the 50-metre backstroke S3 and the 100-metre freestyle S3, finishing ninth in both events. Her journey in Para swimming began after being encouraged by her friend and teammate Shelby Newkirk, leading her to significant achievements and setting multiple Canadian records​​​​.

Nikita Ens’s story is one of dedication and persistence in Para swimming. Her selection for the Paris 2024 Paralympics reflects her consistent effort and improvement in the sport, supported by her family and coaches. Ens continues to build on her experiences and successes, aiming to achieve even greater results in Paris​​​​.