Dorris, Jibb add to Canada’s medal count on Day 4 of Para worlds

SINGAPORE (Swimming Canada)– It was already mid-evening when Danielle Dorris and Mary Jibb jumped into the pool on the fourth night of finals at the World Para Swimming Championships.
 
It was well worth the wait.
 
Dorris, a three-time Paralympian from Moncton, N.B., went first, claiming silver in the women’s 100-metre backstroke S7. Moments later, in Canada’s last individual race of the evening, Jibb of Muskoka, Ont., took bronze in the women’s 100 freestyle S9, adding to her Day 2 triumph in the 200 individual medley. 
 
With three days left in the meet, Canada’s podium total stands at five, including one gold, one silver and three bronze medals.
 
Dorris has now reached the podium in the 100 back at each of the last three world championships. She was the defending champion from Manchester 2023, after finishing as the runner-up in 2022.
 
Two days after celebrating her 23^rd birthday, she wasn’t overly upset about relinquishing her crown to Ukraine’s Veronika Korzhova, who touched the wall in 1:22.10, exactly one second before the Canadian. 
 
Mallory Weggemann, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion from the USA, was third in 1:23.61.
 
“I’m just ecstatic to be on the podium again. I’m so happy,” Dorris said. “I know the 50 fly is my event but I just love the 100 back. Every time I get a chance to swim it, I really enjoy it. I think at heart, I would love to do the 100 back all the time.”
 
On Day 5, Thursday, Dorris hopes to win a third straight S7 world title in the 50 butterfly. She is also the reigning two-time Paralympic titlist and world record holder in the event.
 
“I’m so excited. Whether I go (personal best) or not, hopefully I can defend my world title again,” said Dorris, who trains at the Codiac Vikings Aquatic Club.  
 
In the 100 free S9, Jibb clocked 1:02.71 to set a national mark for the third time in as many events so far in her worlds debut.
 
And for the third time, the standard she lowered – 1:03.89 – belonged to Canadian great Stephanie Dixon since the Beijing 2008 Games.   
 
Alexa Leary, the reigning Paralympic gold medallist and defending world titlist from Australia, prevailed in 59.19. Mariana Ribeiro, the 2022 world champion from Brazil, was second in 1:01.64.
 
“I’m just super happy with this,” said the 18-year-old Jibb when asked to describe her remarkable worlds debut. “I’m just trusting my training, we’ve been working really hard in practice, and it’s all paying off.”
 
One of the busiest Canadian swimmers at the championships, Jibb still has three individual events coming up this week, starting with the 400 free on Thursday.
 
“The 200 IM was the main focus coming here. Now, the rest of the week, it’s all about having fun and trying to go best times,” said Jibb, who trains with the Pacific Sea Wolves in Surrey, B.C.

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