Melanie Hawtin Melanie Hawtin

Melanie Hawtin was once on the fast track to a promising career as a wheelchair racer. A native of Oakville, Ont., Hawtin started racing as a child and quickly became a decorated athlete within the sport with hopes of representing Canada at the Paralympic Games.

That dream was put on hold after surgery forced her to take a hiatus from the track. It was during that hiatus that Hawtin started playing wheelchair basketball. She began competing with the Burlington Vipers club before going on to represent Ontario at the women’s national championship in 2013.

As a former competitive track athlete, speed is Hawtin’s greatest asset and she quickly outmanoeuvres her opponents up and down the basketball court. She ultimately drew the attention of the National Team program and made the Senior Women’s National Team in 2014. She made her Paralympic debut two years later at Rio 2016, where Canada finished fifth.

In 2019, Hawtin underwent shoulder surgery and did not compete at the 2019 Parapan American Games. But she returned for Tokyo 2020 and the 2023 World Championships at which Canada placed fifth each time.

She was also on the 2023 Parapan Am Games team that won silver and the undefeated 2024 squad at the Paralympic Games qualifier.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games… 2015, 023 Parapan American Games… 2014, 2018, 2023 World Championships…

PERSONAL

Born with spina bifida, hydrocephalus… Played pro in France and Italy…

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

• 2023 Parapan American Games 2nd
• 2023 World Championships 5th
• 2021 Paralympic Games 5th
• 2018 World Championships 5th
• 2016 Paralympic Games 5th
• 2015 Parapan American Games 2nd
• 2014 World Championships 1st