Stefan Daniel seeks sixth world title in Para triathlon

Five-time and defending world champion Stefan Daniel of Calgary will have the target on his back at the ITU Para triathlon world championships set for this Saturday in Pontevedra, Spain.

Lead by Daniel, Canada is fielding a powerful four-entry team for these worlds which is worth almost double the points in the qualifying process for next year’s Paralympic Games. All four are ranked at least in the top-four in the world including Daniel at number-one.

‘’A strong result at these worlds will definitely go a long way towards getting me to the Games,’’ said Daniel, 26, before flying overseas. ‘’My preparations are going well. I’ve made a lot of progress in all my disciplines. I’m running the best I have in a couple of years especially.

‘’I’m ready to go.”

The other Canadian team members are Kamylle Frenette of Dieppe, N.B., Leanne Taylor of Winnipeg, and Jessica Tuomela and her guide Emma Skaug, both of Victoria.

This year on the international circuit, Daniel posted victories at the World Series stop in Montreal and the Americas Championships in Florida. The two-time Paralympic Games medallist was third at the World Cup in Paris last month, a test event for the Games, which was shortened with the swimming event removed due to pollution in the Seine River.

Some of his top rivals include American Chris Hammer, test event winner, Brazil’s Cordeiro Ronan and perennial rival Martin Schulz of Germany, the two-time defending Paralympic Games champion.

Daniel, born with bilateral radial club hands with his right arm significantly more affected, is currently ranked number-one in the men’s PT5 category. In his brilliant international career, he’s earned 31 victories and 40 podiums in 54 starts.

Taylor competes in the women’s wheelchair category and is chasing her first world championship medal and a first appearance at the Paralympic Games. She is getting close.

The 31-year-old has posted top-five results in her four international races including a silver at the Americas Championships.

‘’I’ve definitely been flirting with the podium this season so getting on it is a big goal for me at worlds,” she said. ‘’We’ve been working hard at planning as best as possible this race and to not make the same mistakes I’ve made in the past.’’

Frenette, a bronze medallist at last year’s worlds, reached new heights this season with gold at the World Cup in Long Beach, California and a bronze at the test event. She is ranked third in the world.

Tuomela and Skaug won the PTVI women’s race at Long Beach and were third at the Japan stop on the Word Series circuit. They are ranked fourth.

These worlds are an integrated event with the triathlon worlds also taking place. The Para races are set for September 23.

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