Team-first mindset fuels Canadian Para throwers’ rise

OTTAWA – It may be an individual quest to be the best in throwing events in athletics, but Canada’s Para athletes say a culture built on friendship and teamwork is pushing the measuring sticks in national and international competition.

That’s clearly the message sent by three of Canada’s best in the business: two-time Paralympic champion Greg Stewart, world championship medallist Katie Pegg and Canadian record holder Charlotte Bolton.

“It’s an individual sport, yet when we’re in there, we want everyone to succeed,” said Stewart, on Friday after winning the men’s standing shotput with a throw of 15.83 metres on his fourth of six attempts. “There’s a lot more chemistry there now.”

Ken Trudgeon of London, Ont., was second at 11.11 metres and Jayden Grein of  LaSalle, Ont., ranked third.

Stewart, the 7’2’’ Kamloops, B.C., giant, said he entered this week’s meet with modest expectations as he balances training with family life and graduate studies in counselling psychology. He and his wife welcomed their first child just four months ago.

“My coach and I really focused on not having any expectations,” Stewart said. “Let’s just focus on having fun and throwing, and that’s exactly what happened.”

The veteran agrees the success of Canada’s Para throwers mirrors the recent emergence of the country’s able-bodied throwing program.

“We’re starting to see more funding, and we’re starting to see that reflect the performances,” Stewart said. ‘’The sport is growing.”

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Pegg, a 2024 Paralympian who won bronze at last year’s worlds, won the women’s shotput title despite what she described as a challenging stretch since her 2025 success. Her best throw was 11.97 metres while Bolton took the silver reaching 9.14 metre.

Pegg said trust in her coach, improved mental performance and support from teammates have helped her navigate the ups and downs of competition.

“I have such great teammates,” said Pegg, from Markham, Ont., who also celebrated her 22^nd birthday Friday. “Without them, I definitely couldn’t have done that. When we are together at competitions and camps, we’re playing cards almost every single day, making fun of each other, joking around, laughing. That’s a really big factor in what I’m able to accomplish.”

Bolton said Canada’s women throwers, in particular, are producing impressive results as athletes continue to build confidence and gain international experience.

“Canada’s Para throwers are on the rise,” said Bolton, from Tillsonburg, Ont., who broke her Canadian record earlier this year in the F41 shotput reaching 9.74 metres . “Everybody’s doing super well. It’s such a great team. Everybody’s encouraging each other and pushing each other further.”

Bolton was also quick to mention Renee Foessel of London, Ont., as a trailblazer in the sport. Foessel, who competes in women’s discus this weekend, is a three-time Paralympian and multiple world championship medallist.  She was cheering on her teammates from the stands on Friday.

‘’To be mentioned in the same breath as Renee is an honour,’’ said Bolton. ‘’She’s held the fort for us for a long time and we all really look up to her. We all aspire to be as great as her and she is always there supporting us.’’

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Pegg believes increased visibility is also helping attract new talent.

“We’re seeing representation,” she said. “Para is not necessarily a household name, but we’re slowly building that. Being able to show what Athletics Canada’s Para program can do is bringing so many more Para athletes.”

If the trend continues, Canada’s growing Para throwing program could translate into even greater international success.