Riech, Stewart earn gold and silver to conclude the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships

Canada earned a total of three gold, two silver, and one bronze while five national records were lowered

Story by Athletics Canada

DUBAI - Nathan Riech could not have ended his season any other way. After setting numerous records and titles over the 2019 outdoor season, the Victoria, BC, native capped off his outstanding season with a gold medal at the 2019 Dubai World Para Athletics Championships.

Racing in the men’s 1500-metre T38 finals along with Canadian teammate Liam Stanley, the Canadian duo didn’t disappoint in the final competition for Canada in the Dubai Club. Running away from the field, Riech took a look behind him as he crossed the finish line in a Championship record time of 4:02.04. Stanley wasn’t far behind, finishing fifth place with a time of 4:10.78.

Greg Stewart got the day started in the men’s shot put F46 final, using each of his throws to improve his personal-best and Canadian record mark. On his first round throw of 15.84-metres, the Kamloops-native broke his previous record of 15.82. Saving his best for last, Stewart became only the second F46 athlete to heave passed the 16-metre mark, measuring out to 16.30-metres enroute to win the silver medal.

Sarah Mickey concluded the action on the field in the women’s discus F55 final. Throwing 19.82 metres in her first round before a third round throw of 20.98 to finish in fifth place.

Wrapping up a great 2019 World Para Athletics Championships for himself, Austin Smeenk capped it all off with a fourth place finish with a time of 1:46.33 in the men’s 800-metre T34 final.

Concluding the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships from Dubai, UAE, Team Canada earned a total of three gold, two silver, and one bronze along with five Canadian record-breaking performances.

Top 8 finishes
GOLD – Brent Lakatos, 100-metres T53, 14.59 seconds
GOLD – Nathan Riech, 1500-metres, 4:02.04 minutes
GOLD – Brent Lakatos, 800-metres T53, 1:40.59 minutes
SILVER – Brent Lakatos, 400-metre T53, 48.33 seconds
SILVER – Greg Stewart, discus F46, 16.30-metres (PB, CR)
BRONZE – Renee Foessel, discus throw F38, 33.37 metres (PB, CR)
4th – Austin Smeenk, 800-metres T34, 1:46.33 minutes
5th – Liam Stanley, 1500-metres, 4:10.78 minutes
5th – Sarah Mickey, discus F55, 20.98-metres
4th – Guillaume Ouellet, 5,000-metres, 14:45.63 minutes
5th – Alister McQueen, javelin throw F64, 54.46 metres (SB, CR)
5th – Austin Smeenk, 400-metres T34, 53.29 seconds
5th – Diane Roy, 800-metres T54, 1:59.64 minutes
5th – Austin Smeenk, 100-metre T34, 14.89 seconds
6th – Jenn Brown, discus throw F38, 31.68 metres (PB)
6th – Ness Murby, discus throw F11, 29.41 metres (SB)
7th - Ljiljana Ljubisic, discus throw F11, 26.62
7th – Jessica Frotten, 800-metre T53, 2:02.74
7th – Martha Gustafson, discus F53, 8.58-metres
7th – Jessica Frotten, 400-metres T54, 1:00.10 minutes
8th – Thomas Normandeau, 400-metres T47, 52.99 seconds
8th – Amy Watt, long jump F47, 4.69 metre
8th – Ilana Dupont, 100-metres T53, 18.64 seconds
8th – Liam Stanley, 400-metres T37, 55.46 seconds