Sheriauna Haase races toward success on every stage

OTTAWA – Sheriauna Haase is preparing for another important year on the track, but the Canadian Paralympian’s ambitions extend well beyond athletics.

The 19-year-old from Toronto is in Ottawa this week for the Canadian Track and Field Championships. She placed third in the ambulatory 100-metre preliminary heats on Wednesday in 12.96 seconds, qualifying for Friday night’s final.

On Thursday she was on hand for the event’s official media day. She was recognized by fans as well for her appearance in the past two seasons on the reality TV Show the Next Step and gladly posed for pictures with her young admirers.

On track, the 100 metres is her primary focus this season, as it will be her event at next month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. With no Games or world championships in 2026, it’s the biggest and most high profile competition of the year for the Canadians.

‘’My season’s going well,’’ said Haase, born with a limb reduction in one arm. ‘’I’m just taking it step by step, day by day and really relying on my coach.

‘’We’ve focused on specific aspects of my racing and I’m really applying them. When the work is done that’s what you’ve got at the end of the day. You just go out and do it.’’

Haase hopes the preparation will translate into a podium performance. ‘’I’m looking forward to just leaving it all on the track, hopefully a medal.’’

She represented Canada at the Paris Paralympics in 2024 and narrowly missed the podium with a fourth-place finish (just 0.33 seconds form third place) in the women’s T47 100-metres.

Away from competition, Haase remains active in the performing arts. One of the highlights of her career was playing the role of Adele in Seasons 9 and 10 of The Next Step.  The popular Canadian dance drama was one Haase watched growing up and is now available on Prime Video.

‘’When I was on it, it was just an insane experience,’’ she said. ‘’Everyone became such close family for two months straight.’’

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A post shared by 𝒮ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑖🥂 /Sheriauna Haase (@sheri.elaine_)

That experience reinforced her desire to continue pursuing acting alongside sport.

‘’I’ve always said I want to be a superhero,’’ she said with a laugh.  ‘’I’ve always wanted to be on Marvel. But I love dramas as well. I just want to keep expanding my abilities and play any character that I can.’’

Also a professional dancer, Haase hopes her journey can encourage young people with disabilities to pursue their goals regardless of the obstacles they encounter.

“Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do anything,’’ she said. ‘’I’ve had my fair share of those people and you will too.

‘’If your sport or art is something that means so much to you, truly nobody can tell you that you can’t do it.’’

As she balances training, auditions and choreography work, Haase is determined to continue pushing forward in every aspect of her career.

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A post shared by 𝒮ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑖🥂 /Sheriauna Haase (@sheri.elaine_)