Canadian Para swimmers continued their impressive streak in Singapore on Thursday, securing medals and breaking records at the World Para Swimming Championships.
Danielle Dorris, who clinched silver in the women’s 100m backstroke S7 the previous day, set a new championship record in the 50 butterfly S7 event with a time of 33.93 seconds. This achievement added to her world mark of 32.99 set back in 2021. Dorris now joins the elite group of Canadian Para swimmers, including Aurélie Rivard and Benoît Huot, in winning three consecutive world titles in the same discipline.
Dorris expressed her delight at being mentioned alongside Rivard and Huot, whom she first met at the Rio Paralympic Games in 2016. Rivard, a six-time Paralympic champion, is currently focusing on her law studies, while Huot has triumphed multiple times in the men’s 200 individual medley SM10 category.
In a closely contested race, Mallory Weggemann from the United States claimed silver behind Dorris, with Sara Vargas Blanco from Colombia securing the bronze. Dorris acknowledged the pressure from Weggemann during the race but managed to maintain her lead and secure the gold.
Another standout performance came from Katie Cosgriffe, who shattered the Americas record in the women’s 100m butterfly S10 event. Cosgriffe, who has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, showcased exceptional determination and talent in achieving this remarkable feat.
In the men’s events, Nick Bennett earned his second medal of the week, a bronze in the 200 IM S14 category. Despite relinquishing his world record to Gabriel Bandeira of Brazil, Bennett remains focused on his preparations for the upcoming Paralympic Games.
Overall, Canada has earned eight medals at the championships, placing 15th among 33 participating countries. The Canadian team’s impressive performances underscore their dedication and skill on the global Para swimming stage.
