Ten-time Paralympic Games medallist Aurélie Rivard posted three second place finishes this past weekend at the third stop on the Para swimming World Series circuit which attracted Para athletes from 51 countries to Berlin.
In the multi classification races (rankings are based on times in relation to world records), Rivard was second in the 50-m, 100-m and 200-m freestyles. Rivard said it was the first time she’s ever earned a medal in the 50 free at a World Series event.
‘’That’s usually a tough race for me at this point in my training,’’ she told Sportcom. ‘’I’m very pleased to win three medals and with my times. What’s important for me is to improve race by race.’’
Two Canadians on the podium at Para canoe World Cup
Paralympian Brianna Hennessy (Ottawa River Canoe Club) earned a silver medal in the VL2 200m paracanoe event along with teammate Erica Scarff (Balmy Beach Canoe Club) paddling to bronze in the VL3 200m. Mathieu St. Pierre (Club de canotage du Shawinigan) ranked just off the podium in fourth place in the VL2 200m. Canada ranked 7th on the Paracanoe medal table with Great Britain topping the leaderboard.
Tuomela and Skaug win bronze at World Triathlon Para Series
Canadian Jessica Tuomela and her guide Emma Skaug won the bronze medal in the women’s PTV1 on Saturday for Canada’s best result at World Triathlon Para Series stop in Yokohama, Japan. American McClain Hermes and her guide edged out the Canadians by two seconds, taking second at 1:10:12. Spain’s Susana Rodriguez won the classification with a time of 1:03:59.
Canada’s Leanne Taylor was also hunting down a podium finish in the women’s sitting classification. The Winnipegger was closing in on third place while charging through the run course but took the final turn too fast on her racer and crashed. Taylor placed fifth at 1:11:16.
Record breaking performances for Canadians in Para athletics
Two records were set at the May 10 meet in Breda, Netherlands. David Johnson’s time of 51.52 in the men’s T12 400 metres and Jesse Zesseu’s throw of 51.12 metres in the men’s F37 discus throw are both Canadian records, pending ratification.
Two days later in Belgium, Nandini Sharma ran a blistering 17.28 seconds in the women’s T54 100 metres and Zach Gingras threw down a time of 50.75 seconds in the men’s T38 400 metres to set new national records, pending ratification.
Canadian men and women miss qualifying opportunity in sitting volleyball
Brazil (men) and the U.S. (women) won the ParaVolley PanAmerica Zonal Championship (May 9 to 13) in Edmonton. These two teams also earned the Paralympic berth from this qualifier.
Canada’s men’s team defeated Argentina for the bronze. Then Brazil took gold over the U.S. men to secure a position in the Paralympic Games.
The USA women won the best of five series (3-2) over Canada and the women's spot in Paris 2024.
The next Paralympic Games qualifying opportunity for both Canadian teams is in November at the World Cup.
