Para sport update: Maarten Duif collects second medal at Para Cycling World Cup

OTTAWA – Maarten Duif of Carleton Place, Ont., won a silver medal in the men’s handcycle H1 road race on Thursday at the second stop of the Para Cycling World Cup circuit in Gistel, Belgium.

It marked his second podium finish at the event.

Patrik Jahoda of Czechia captured gold in the 39.6-kilometre race with a time of 1:36:52. Duif held off American Barry Wilcox to secure silver.

Earlier in the week, Duif placed third in the individual time trial.

World champion Alexandre Hayward of Quispamsis, N.B., also had a strong showing, earning bronze in the men’s C3 time trial. His road race is scheduled for Friday.

Papaconstantinou honoured by Athletics Canada

Three-time Paralympian Marissa Papaconstantinou has been named Athletics Canada’s Female Track Athlete of the Year for the 2025 season.

The 26-year-old blade runner from Toronto won two medals at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi: silver in the women’s T64 200 metres and bronze in the T64 100 metres.

‘’It truly means the world to me to be recognized for my athletic achievements,’’ said Papaconstantinou in an Instagram message. ‘’I want to thank Athletics Canada, mu family, coaches and everybody who’s been in my corner.’’

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The Phil Edwards Trophy for the male and female top track athletes is open to able bodied and Para athletes.

Olympian Marco Arop was named Male Track Athlete of the Year.

In the Para categories, Anthony Bouchard of Quebec City and Julia Hanes of LaSalle, Ont., were named top male and female wheelchair athletes.

Bouchard won gold in the T52 100 metres at the world championships. Hanes earned bronze in the F33 shot put and set an Americas record in the F34 javelin, finishing fifth overall.

Nate Tucker of Victoria and Katie Pegg of Markham, Ont., received the Ambulatory Athlete Awards.

Tucker defended his T38 1500-metre world title, breaking his own championship record, while Pegg captured worlds bronze in the women’s F46 shot put with a personal-best throw of 12.76 metres.

Heather Hennigar of Victoria was named Coach of the Year after guiding Tucker to his world title.

Five Para swimmers named to Commonwealth Games team

Five Canadian Paralympic Program swimmers have been selected to make their Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2, 2026.

The team now includes Tianna Asala (Calgary), Danielle Dorris (Moncton, N.B.), and Emma Van Dyk (Port Colborne, Ont.) on the women’s side, and Hunter Helberg (Fort McMurray, Alta.) and Sebastian Massabie (Surrey, B.C.) for the men.

Dorris and Massabie are both medallists from the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Seven Para swimmers were named to the Games team earlier this month.